As the 2024 election heats up City Desk ABQ kept an eye on local politicians’ reactions to President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the race. Biden’s decision came a few weeks before the Democratic National Convention in August.
Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement.
Locally, several delegates — including all five members of the congressional delegation, Mayor Tim Keller, and leadership in the Democratic Party of New Mexico — have also thrown their support behind Harris.
NM Democrats
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said:
“President Biden has done more for New Mexicans during a single term than any president in history. His administration’s support of childcare and early childhood education initiatives in our state will improve New Mexicans’ lives for many years to come. We are eternally grateful for his support.’
US Sen. Ben Ray Luján thanked President Biden “for his decades of service to the American people.”
US Sen. Martin Heinrich said “With his decision today to put country over self, the President has secured his legacy.”
US Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez said “President Biden is a transformational president whose legacy will benefit generations to come”
US Rep. Gabe Vasquez said the nation must come together to defeat “MAGA extremists, like Donald Trump and Yvette Herrell, who have attacked our fundamental freedoms, chief among them, reproductive rights.”
US Rep. Melanie Stansbury said she supports the president “in every possible way, including his decision today.”
The Democratic Party of New Mexico said Biden “has been one of the most accomplished presidents in US history.”
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said “Thank you President Biden for your decades of leadership.”
New Mexico Speaker of the House Javier Martínez said he is proud to have stood with the president “as he brought back our country from the abyss in 2020 & through the historic wins 4 the American people the last 3 years.”
NM Republicans
The Republican Party of New Mexico said “It’s official!” after Biden released his statement after he dropped out.
State Rep. Stefani Lord, from the East Mountains, asked when Harris realized Biden “was in severe decline.”
State Rep. John Block, from Alamogordo said “By dropping out, Biden may have just screwed the Dems beyond comprehension”
Nella Domenici, who is running for the U.S. Senate said “President Biden dropping out does not change the high crime, poor education, and soaring cost of living that he and Martin Heinrich have forced upon New Mexican families.”
Former US Rep. Yvette Herrell, who’s running for congress against Gabe Vasquez said “If Joe Biden is unfit to run for president, he is most certainly not fit to BE president. I hope Gabe Vasquez will join me in calling for Biden to also step down as President of the United States.”
Jay Block, who is running for state senate in Sandoval County, said “He’s unfit and not capable of running for reelection and/or carrying out the duties of the presidency.”