Mass. representatives respond after Biden pulls out of presidential race

Local reaction poured in Sunday afternoon to President Biden's decision to end his reelection campaign, a choice that leaves the Democrats with 107 day to rally around a new candidate before Election Day.

Former President and 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump:

"Crooked Joe Biden is the Worst President, by far, in the History of our Nation. He has done everything possible to destroy our Country, from our Southern Border, to Energy Dominance, National Security, International Standing, and so much more. He was annihilated in an Earth Shattering Debate, and now the Corrupt and Radical Democrats are throwing him overboard. He was not fit to serve from the  very beginning, but the people around him lied to America about his Complete and Total Mental, Physical, and Cognitive Demise. Whoever the Left puts up now will just be more of the same. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland):

“President Biden just showed America what true leadership looks like. One of the most consequential presidents of my lifetime just put his country before himself, as he always has. Unity matters now more than ever before - it’s time for Democrats to come together behind Vice President Harris to defeat Donald Trump.”

Massachusetts House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy): 

“Joe Biden has selflessly dedicated over 50 years of his life to public service. During his time as a Senator, as Vice President, and as President of the United States, Joe Biden has worked tirelessly on behalf of the American people, unwavering in his belief that government can be an agent of good, one that uplifts the middle class and that protects the rights and freedoms of all Americans. Over the past three and a half years, we have witnessed President Biden’s experience and deep understanding of the issues on full display, the result of which being one of the most productive presidencies of my lifetime despite the immense challenges that his administration inherited. The President’s decision not to seek reelection is the latest example of his enduring commitment to placing the best interests of the country over his own personal aspirations. I am incredibly grateful for the work that Joe Biden has done throughout his remarkable career, and for the sacrifices that he has made in service to the country that he loves.”

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley of Boston:

“Joe Biden has dedicated more than 50 years to the selfless service of our nation, as a Senator, Vice President, and as the 46th President of the United States. I am deeply grateful for his service. The Biden-Harris Administration have been, and remain, genuine, engaged partners who have made real progress on issues facing our communities. I deeply respect the decision President Joe Biden made today to pass the torch.

“In this moment, it is clear that Vice President Kamala Harris is the best person to lead our party and our nation forward, and I am so proud to endorse her as our 47th President of the United States.

“Vice President Harris is a proven strong, empathetic, and moral leader. She has been a clear leading voice on abortion rights, healthcare justice and student debt cancellation. We worked together when she was in the Senate on legislation to address the maternal health crisis, support small Black businesses, advance housing justice, and protect voting rights. Our partnership on issues of consequence has continued during her historic tenure as Vice President. She is steady and she is consistent. I am confident in her ability to unite the party and build the coalition we need to win the White House, the Senate and the House.

“Vice President Harris pursuing the highest office in America is a powerful realization of a dream that so many have struggled for so long to make possible. As our next President, I know she will stand up for everyone who calls America home and work every day to make their lives better.

“What’s at stake in this election has not changed. The twice-impeached, national abortion ban-supporting, former occupant of the White House and those around him have made clear their plans to roll back our fundamental rights and freedoms. Republicans have made it plain that they will target immigrants, criminalize poverty, deny folks basic healthcare, and seek revenge against those who disagree with them. They’ve promised to install more far-right justices on the Supreme Court, to ensure their legacy of extremism reverberates for generations. You can read all about it in Project 2025.

“I am deeply motivated by both what is at stake and what is possible. A more just America is possible. And building on the efforts of the Biden-Harris White House and organizers across the nation, I know a President Kamala Harris will steer this nation towards progress in partnership with all of us.”

Congresswoman Katherine Clark of Revere: 

"Today’s announcement embodies President Biden’s steadfast courage and patriotism. At every point in his remarkable career, Joe Biden has put his country first — advancing the project of democracy and meeting the needs of the American people. He has expanded access to affordable health care, brought jobs back to our shores, improved safety in our communities, led the fight against domestic violence, and paved our path toward a greener future. Around the globe, he is admired for his steady, experienced leadership — always honoring America’s crucial role as a facilitator of peace, democracy, and human rights.

"When he came into office nearly four years ago, our nation was reeling from the pandemic. We were losing thousands of Americans every day to COVID-19, our businesses and schools were closed, and millions were out of work. Thanks to his tenacity and vision, President Biden got shots in arms, lowered costs for working families, rebuilt our infrastructure, and saved our economy from the brink of collapse. He proved, as he always has, what’s possible when we invest in the American people.

"I am deeply grateful for President Biden and his unfailing commitment to the American people. As he closes this chapter of unparalleled service to our country, President Biden’s leadership and legacy of progress will chart the way toward a future that realizes the American ideals of liberty and justice for all."

Congressman Richard Neal of Springfield:

“Joe Biden has been the most consequential president in the modern era. In just three and a half years, he transformed the nation from the suffering and stagnancy of the pandemic to putting the people first and powering an economy that is now the envy of the world. The American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPs and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and so many more, will go down as historic pieces of legislation. He rebuilt the world’s strongest economy by investing in the American worker, made unprecedented investments in our nation’s infrastructure and our efforts to tackle the climate crisis, lowered prescription drug prices and health care costs for millions of Americans, enacted the first gun safety law in 30 years, and expanded care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances.

“Governing is not easy, but Joe Biden dedicated his life’s work to improving the lives of all Americans and ensuring we live up to our nation’s creed. His success weighs heavily on a grateful nation, and I will forever remain among his biggest fans. Thank you, Mr. President.”

Congressman James McGovern of Worcester:

“Joe Biden has cemented his legacy as one of the most consequential presidents in my lifetime and in American history. He promised to restore the soul of our nation, and he delivered on that promise—bringing us back from the brink of authoritarianism, rebuilding our economy after a global pandemic, and repairing our standing in the world as a beacon of freedom and hope.

“Look at his record: he passed the largest infrastructure bill in a generation, the largest climate bill in world history, and the most significant gun safety legislation in decades—all while creating more jobs in a single term than any other president ever. He has focused on bettering the lives of the American people—heeding my call for a second White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health that has led to groundbreaking, transformational changes in our local, state, and federal work to end hunger and improve nutrition.

“Just as importantly, President Biden is a selfless, honorable, decent man who has led with humility, grace, and integrity. His decision to pass the torch to a new generation is a historic act of incredible patriotism. He put our country ahead of himself—something Donald Trump has never done and is incapable of doing.

“I’m proud to support Vice President Kamala Harris moving forward. As Attorney General of California, she stood with those who had nowhere left to turn, prosecuting sex offenders and victims of for-profit college scams. As a Senator, she championed legislation to fight hunger and combat the climate crisis. As Vice President, she has stood up for women's rights and worked to represent America’s interests on the world stage. She is proven, she is experienced, and she will unite this country and be an incredible leader.”

Congresswoman Lori Trahan of Westford: 

In email, Trahan's offered a statement on Biden "passing the baton."

“Joe Biden saved our Democracy in 2020, and he has worked with House Democrats to deliver unprecedented progress for the American people. President Biden’s decision to pass the baton positions us to defeat Donald Trump again this November and build on the work we’ve done to lower costs for families, strengthen our economy, and protect women’s reproductive freedom. Together with our strong, proven Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats will make a clear, effective case to voters why our commitment to improving the lives of every American is the better choice than Donald Trump’s chaotic and extreme Republican Party.”

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Cambridge:

“Joe Biden’s presidency has been transformational. He accomplished more in the past four years — to bring back jobs, stand up to big corporations, and build an economy that works for all of us — than we have been able to get done in the last forty. He deserves full credit for beating Donald Trump in 2020, and his selfless decision today gives us our best shot at doing it again in 2024. While Donald Trump tried to tear down our democracy to maintain his grip on power, Joe Biden willingly stepped aside in order to protect our democracy. President Biden’s selfless action is a profound gift to the people of the United States - and it’s on all of us not to waste it.

“I endorse Kamala Harris for President. She is a proven fighter who has been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion. As a former prosecutor, she can press a forceful case against allowing Donald Trump to regain the White House. We have many talented people in our party, but Vice President Harris is the person who was chosen by the voters to succeed Joe Biden if needed. She can unite our party, take on Donald Trump, and win in November.”

DNC Delegate Rep. Christopher Worrell City Councilor Brian Worrell (Alternate Delegate):

"As an elected delegate and alternate to the Democratic National Convention, we are formally committing our support to Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Nominee for President of the United States. 

"Vice President Harris is unmatched in her experience, record of accomplishment, and unwavering commitment to supporting people of color and underserved communities.  In August, we look forward to going to Chicago to cast our votes for Kamala Harris and working each and every day to ensure she is the next President."

Unsigned Massachusetts Democratic Party statement:

“President Joe Biden will go down in history as one of the greatest leaders our nation has ever had. In the decades that he has spent in service to the American people, there has been no one more committed to decency, no one more fluent in compassion, no one more fervent in his dedication to each and every cause that might improve the lives of the people he represents.

"It takes a man of great honor and breathtaking humility to commit his entire life to the service of others, and we are incredibly lucky to have a President who possesses perhaps the greatest trait of any leader; the willingness to relinquish a position of power and allow another to take his place.

"The Biden Administration has been some of the most progressive years in our nation’s history. Joe Biden led us through a pandemic, codified same-sex marriage into law, championed student loan forgiveness, and passed a bipartisan infrastructure law that infused funds into countless communities. And he did it all with the same down-to-earth, empathetic style that caused the people of Delaware to elect him to the Senate back in 1972.

"And now, by making the selfless choice to step aside, he has set the Democratic Party on a course for the future in which all of us, everywhere, are motivated not by preservation of the status quo, but by those bold, decisive, but necessary actions by which we change society for the better.

"Joe Biden believes in a better world, in a world that views us all as equals and aims always to preserve our rights and freedom. Soon, there will be more to be said about the man he beat to take the White House, and the urgency of the work that must be done to ensure the poison he aims to spread across this country is resoundingly rejected. For now, though, our message is this: Thank you, President Biden.”

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond:

"There has been no greater champion in the White House for America’s workers than President Joe Biden. He has had workers’ backs every day of his presidency, constantly pushing his administration to use every tool in its toolbox to create and protect our jobs, defend our rights in the workplace, and invest in our economic security.

"President Biden’s legacy as the most pro-labor president in history, and that of the Biden–Harris White House, is indisputable. The president led the passage of landmark legislation, which rescued our economy from the brink of another depression, brought manufacturing jobs back to America and put us on the pathway to create millions of good-paying union jobs. He ensured a pro-labor National Labor Relations Board that has defended workers’ rights and held bad bosses accountable, including corporate CEOs. He has pressed for labor standards in every federal investment and raised the wages of hundreds of thousands of federal contractors, raising the tide for fair pay for working people across the country.

"Vice President Kamala Harris has been an integral part of that success. She cast the tie-breaking votes to save the pensions of more than 1 million union members and retirees, expand the child tax credit to help millions of struggling families, and take on big pharmaceutical companies to lower the price of key prescriptions like insulin. She is a defender of civil rights and reproductive freedom and a proven partner in the administration’s pro-worker agenda.

"This is why the AFL-CIO unequivocally supported Biden–Harris for re-election earlier than any other presidential endorsement in our history. And it is why, with our deepest gratitude and respect, we honor President Biden’s choice to not run for re-election.

"The AFL-CIO’s officers and leadership from the federation’s 60 affiliated unions, representing more than 12.5 million workers, will convene soon to discuss our next steps.

"Candidates may change, but our values don’t. Our fight to create an economy where everyone has a fighting chance and a country where working people not only survive but thrive will never stop. Our solidarity with workers as we organize and bargain for the pay, benefits, and safety we deserve will never waver. And our commitment to defeating Donald Trump and JD Vance is as strong as ever."

Joseph Geervarghese, Executive Director of Our Revolution, the progressive group founded by Sen. Bernie Sanders:

“Our Revolution commends President Biden’s courageous choice to put the country over personal ambitions. We thank him for his service and dedication to the nation. His willingness to listen to the Party's base demonstrates his commitment to our shared mission of defeating Trump.

"We are encouraged by President Biden’s recent embrace of Bernie Sanders’ plans to cancel medical debt, raise the minimum wage, and cap national rent increases at 5%. This acknowledgment of our progressive platform shows the President's dedication to listening to our members and we fully expect the top of the ticket to continue embracing these policies.

"As we look ahead, we expect the next nominee, likely Vice President Kamala Harris, to adopt and champion a progressive platform that delivers for working families and rebuilds trust in government and the Democratic Party. With these exciting and tangible policy priorities now part of the Party platform, we are hopeful that the new nominee will invigorate interest in the Democratic ticket, ensuring we defeat Trump in November."

Sunrise Movement Executive Director Aru Shiney-Ajay:

"This is a historic day. We’re proud to have joined with people around the country to urge President Biden to pass the torch to someone more able to defeat Trump. We commend him for taking that step to protect his climate achievements and our democracy.

"We're ready to go full-steam ahead talking with young people about the stakes of this election and what a 2nd Trump Presidency would mean for our generation.

"The new nominee must follow the successful Biden-Harris 2020 strategy by building a coalition of young people, working people, and voters of color. That means putting forward a bold vision to tackle the climate crisis and fight for our generation, including:

-- Making it more affordable for working people to live;

-- Creating green, union jobs and stopping the climate crisis;

-- Tackling corporate greed and holding corporations accountable;

-- Investing in our communities, not weapons

"With this kind of campaign, Harris or the new nominee will be in a strong position to mobilize our generation this November. We will defeat Donald Trump and take a massive step towards building a country where our generation can not only survive, but thrive.”