Oregon Politicians React to Joe Biden’s Withdrawal from the Presidential Race
There is only one topic of conversation among most Americans today, and that is the withdrawal of Joe Biden from the presidential race less than four months to the November 2024 election.
His withdrawal announced yesterday (Sunday) comes in the wake of a tidal wave of appeals from Democrats to step down following growing doubts about his health and the aftermath of his disastrous debate with Republican presidential hopeful, Donald Trump.
Reaction From Oregon Governor and Congressional Representatives
Oregon Democrat lawmakers added their voices to the nationwide call for Biden’s withdrawal from seeking reelection, unlike state Governor Tina Kotek who supported his candidacy for another term in office after attending a virtual meeting with the president earlier this month.
In a post on X following Biden’s announcement yesterday, Gov. Kotek said that the president was steadfast in his dedication to improve the lives of working families. She said that the people of Oregon, and the entire country, are healthier, safer, and more secure, thanks to his years of service.
I thank President Biden for his decades of leadership and his steadfast dedication to make life better for working families.
Oregon, and the whole country, are so much better off today — safer, healthier, and more secure — because of Joe Biden's years of service.
— Governor Tina Kotek (@GovTinaKotek) July 21, 2024
Oregon’s Earl Blumenauer was the first Democrat in Congress to appeal to Biden to step down and is now calling on his colleagues to focus all efforts on defeating Trump in the November elections.
Third District congressman, Blumenauer says Biden has made the right decision to dedicate the remainder of his presidential term ‘implementing his landmark achievements’ rather than fighting Donald Trump.
Repeating Blumenauer’s example, Suzanne Bonamici became the first Oregon congressional Democrat to publicly support the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris as the new presidential candidate. Biden announced Harris as his nominee for the post when stepping down yesterday.
Bonamici, who represents the state in the First Congressional District, says on X that it is time to move ahead as a country to beat Trump and his Vice-Presidential candidate, J.D. Vance.
President Joe Biden has served with distinction as a U.S. Senator, Vice President, and President. In the Senate he supported legislation to act on climate change and helped pass the Violence Against Women Act. pic.twitter.com/rTkh4NUwbB
— Suzanne Bonamici (@RepBonamici) July 21, 2024
Oregon Senator Says Trump Has a History of Right-Wing Extremism
Oregon’s two U.S. Senators – Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley – issued statements praising Biden for historic wins over Big Pharma, fighting tax evaders, addressing climate change, and repairing relationships with countries around the world.
Wyden described Donald Trump as ‘a convicted felon’ with a history of ‘right-wing extremism on women’s health care’ and other issues, while Merkley described the upcoming election as a battle between democracy and autocracy.
I’ve been proud to work with President Biden on a record of Democratic successes these past 3.5 years, including historic wins over Big Pharma, and major gains in the fights against wealthy tax cheats and the climate crisis. History will judge well those landmark achievements.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) July 21, 2024
Oregon Lawmakers Praise Biden’s Years of Service
Val Hoyle (D-Springfield), who has also publicly thrown her support behind Kamala Harris, describes Biden as ‘the most pro-union President’ in her lifetime, and the only U.S. President who walked a picket line with strikers.
Andrea Salinas who represents Oregon’s Sixth Congressional District, says Biden has ‘delivered on his promise’ to rebuild the middle class and to restore stability. Salinas calls on the electorate to help defeat Trump ‘and his extreme agenda,’ describing the upcoming election as a battleground between democracy and authoritarianism.
President Biden has been a faithful public servant who has delivered on his promise to restore stability and rebuild the middle class. He has done more for working families during times of crisis than any other modern day president.
— Andrea Salinas (@AndreaRSalinas) July 21, 2024
Congress representative Suzanne Bonamici says Biden served the country with distinction as a Senator, Vice President, and President. She thanked him for his support of legislation on climate change, and for his contribution to passing the Violence Against Women Act.
Republic Congressional Delegate Describes Biden as Unfit as the Leader of the Free World
But not all Oregon politicians voiced praise for Biden’s years of service following his decision to step down from the Oval Office.
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who represents Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District, said Biden was ‘unfit for the demanding responsibilities as the leader of the free world.’ She said he should not be making day-to-day decisions affecting national security.
Joe Biden’s decision to forfeit his claim to fight for reelection as President of the U.S. comes less than a month from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.