President Joe Biden announced Sunday he will not seek re-election, a decision that came as his support in Wisconsin and elsewhere appeared to be eroding rapidly.
Meanwhile, over a dozen Wisconsin delegates to the Democratic National Convention have already said they are backing Vice President Kamala Harris, including the state’s three Democrats in Congress. Others say they are weighing their options.
In a statement, Biden said it is “in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
In a follow-up post on social media, Biden backed Harris as the party’s nominee, a move that could coalesce support around her in the run up to the party convention in Chicago next month.
His announcement prompted a wave of praise from Wisconsin Democrats for Biden and his public service, even as it sets in motion an unprecedented series of events.
In a statement, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, who has largely remained silent on what Biden should do, praised the president’s work in office.
“Throughout all of that work, I’ve been inspired by his decency, integrity, and dedication to service, and I am deeply grateful for that. Thank you, President Biden,” Baldwin said.
In a subsequent statement, Baldwin backed Harris’ candidacy, saying it is “a new beginning for our party and our country.”
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler didn’t back Harris in a statement but also extensively praised Biden’s track record and legacy.
“President Biden has always has always answered the call to service, and put duty and country first,” he said. “Today’s decision reflects President Biden’s profound commitment to our nation.”
Biden’s decision to step aside came after sustained pressure from top Democrats nationally for him to let Harris or someone else challenge former President Donald Trump in November. Party leaders argued it had become increasingly unlikely that Biden could win.
That’s despite an effort by Biden to rehabilitate his campaign after a poor debate performance in late June, including a stop in Madison, where Democrats in attendance were divided over what he should do.
Public opinion has continued to shift in favor of a new Democratic nominee, with an Associated Press-NORC poll showing that two-thirds of Democrats surveyed nationally wanted Biden to step aside.
While Wisconsin Democrats initially stood behind Biden, cracks began to emerge.
On Friday, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-town of Vermont, called on Biden to step aside, the first prominent Wisconsin Democrat to do so.
Pocan praised Biden’s leadership on Sunday and hit Republicans and Trump. He also is backing Harris.
“I call on the Republican party to have the necessary discussion about Donald Trump stepping aside and letting a new generation run for office,” Pocan said in a statement.
U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, said in a statement she would back Harris.
“President Biden is exiting this race with great dignity, and I am really proud of his presidency and his record,” Moore said.
Biden’s polling numbers have slipped in Wisconsin since his June 27 debate with Trump. Voter surveys conducted since the debate have Trump leading Biden by anywhere between six and two points in the state, a slim margin. A few polls still showed Biden in the lead in Wisconsin.
Polling on how Harris would fare in Wisconsin is limited. Nationally and in other key swing states, polling has shown a possible slight boost for Democrats if she takes over as the candidate.
Harris is no stranger to Wisconsin, having spent part of her childhood living in Madison and having traveled to the state four times this year alone. She is set to hold another event Tuesday in Milwaukee.
Roman Fritz, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student and delegate to the Democratic National Convention, said Biden’s backing of Harris made it likely he would support her. But Fritz said he would wait and see.
Fritz, who has founded a coalition of young delegates from across the country, said the consensus was clear that Biden should have stepped aside sooner.
“This should have happened when the warning signs started happening,” he said.
Democrats have time in Wisconsin to ensure their new candidate gets on the ballot. The Wisconsin Elections Commission certifies the party’s choice of presidential and vice presidential nominees in a September meeting.
Biden’s decision follows the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where speakers, including Trump, criticized Biden and Harris. The Democratic National Convention is scheduled for a month from now in Chicago.
In a statement, Republican Party of Wisconsin Chair Brian Schimming said Biden should resign the presidency if he is “incapable of the rigors of running for re-election.”
“Having already denied voters the chance to replace Joe Biden during the primaries, the Democrat Party is now subjecting the American people to chaos, uncertainty and an incapacitated presidency,” Schimming said.
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