Gov. JB Pritzker, other Illinois Democrats line up behind Harris for 2024 presidential nomination
CHICAGO (CBS) — Politicians in Illinois are reacting to Sunday's announcement that President Joe Biden has opted to step down from the 2024 presidential race ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month.
Gov. JB Pritzker, U.S. Sen Dick Durbin, and others also have echoed Biden's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris to be the new Democratic nominee.
"Vice President Harris has proven, at every point in her career, that she possesses the skills, strength, and character to lead this country and the vision to better the lives of all Americans From protecting women's rights to defending American workers and strengthening the middle class, Vice President Harris is a champion of the American values we hold dear. She represents our Party's best chance to defeat Donald Trump in November, and I will work my heart out to help her do that," Pritzker said in a statement Monday morning.
Biden's decision to drop out comes weeks after Democrats called for him to step down in the race against Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump. Those calls began to gain momentum after Biden's disastrous debate performance against Trump last month. Top Democrats urged the President in the past week to step aside, as polls showed not only would he lose to Trump but could also cost the party in Congress.
On Sunday, Biden also announced that he is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the new candidate for the Democratic National Convention. Harris says she will be seeking the Democratic presidential nomination and "intends to win it."
Former President Barack Obama said that Biden understood the stakes and "everything that the Democratic Party stands for, will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress."
"For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldn't make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. It's a testament to Joe Biden's love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow. We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges."
Governor JB Pritzker posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, expressing gratitude towards Biden.
"He has dedicated his life in service to this nation, and its citizens are all the better for it. His is a storied political career culminating in one of the most accomplished and effective presidents of our life time.
"As we extend our gratitude to President Biden and reflect on his many accomplishments, we must not ignore the threat posed by Donald Trump's potential return to the White House. Donald Trump is a 34 time convicted felon, adjudicated to have committed sexual assault, a racist, homophobe and misogynist. Trump brags about taking away a woman's right to choose, wants to rip healthcare away from tens of millions of people, proposes economic policies that will cost the middle class thousands of dollars a year, and threatens the fundamental American ideals we hold dear. I will work every day to ensure that he does not win in November."
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson praised Biden and endorsed Harris as the next Democratic nominee.
"President Biden united the country by defeating Donald Trump in 2020 and Chicago is grateful for his leadership and service. Today President Biden cemented his legacy as the rare leader who puts the people above himself.
"It is vital for our entire party to come together and support Vice President Kamala Harris. I am proud to give her my full endorsement.
"Vice President Harris is the visionary leader that we need now to defeat the threat of another Trump presidency. She has proven herself as a fearless defender of democracy. I look forward to doing everything I can to ensure she becomes our next President."
Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot referred to Biden as "an American hero."
"As he has shown throughout his public service, he has always elevated service over self. He did that again today. God bless our president and his family. Now let's go beat Trump!"
Both U.S. senators from Illinois and all 14 House Democrats from Illinois also are backing Harris.
"I am proud to endorse @KamalaHarris and will do everything I can to ensure she has the support needed to win. Right now, Democrats must be fully united and put ALL of our energy into preventing Trump and his MAGA allies from rolling back all the freedoms and progress we've made," U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), in a statement, thanked the President for his work during the term and now says the party has to unite behind the next candidate.
"Throughout his public career, Joe Biden always put country first. His four years as President made it clear that he was determined to put our country back on track and restore the soul of our nation. America will be forever grateful for all he has given to this country. Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort."
Monday morning, Durbin endorsed Harris, calling her a "good friend."
"Our nation needs to continue moving forward with unity & not MAGA chaos. VP Harris was a critical partner in building the Biden record over the past four years. Count me in with Kamala Harris for President," Durbin wrote.
Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García, who, along with Sean Casten, called for Mr. Biden to step down on Friday, says his efforts will be remembered.
"President Biden is putting our country over his political career, and that's the definition of a true leader. He is one of the most consequential presidents of our time and the policies he has implemented, from getting our country out of the COVID pandemic, to the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure law, will have a generational impact beyond his presidency. His efforts will be remembered by a grateful nation.
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, the first Illinois Democratic congressman to urge Mr. Biden to drop out called his decision to step down "difficult" and "selfless."
"President Joe Biden has been one of the most successful presidents of our lifetime. He led our nation out of the darkness of Jan. 6, oversaw our nation's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, signed into law the first gun violence prevention legislation in over 30 years, and fulfilled the promises of previous presidents by passing bipartisan infrastructure legislation. Throughout his lifetime of service, he has always put our country first.
"Today, President Biden secured his legacy by making this difficult, selfless decision. We owe him an incredible debt of gratitude."
Quigley also threw his support behind Harris.
"While the last few weeks have been tense in the Democratic Party, we have always been united in our goal of defeating Donald Trump. I now look forward to our party uniting behind VP Kamala Harris as we do everything we can to get her elected and prevent a second Trump term," he wrote in a post on X.
Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez released a statement praising Harris and offering her endorsement to the Vice President.
"We must defeat Donald Trump. Vice President Harris is the proven, qualified leader ready to move our country forward. She has my endorsement. I look forward to working with her to realize a permanent ceasefire, immigration reform, and a bold agenda that centers working families.
"We must unite to defeat Project 2025 and Donald Trump's extremist and hateful agenda. A second Trump presidency is an existential threat, and we must do everything in our power to protect our democratic institutions.
"President Biden has led us through some of our darkest times. He is a statesman that has put our country and democracy first. I thank him for having the courage to do so again today."
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi also reacted on X saying, "President Biden's policy achievements have already established his place as one of the most consequential presidents in American History. Through his decision today, Joe Biden has demonstrated the true and selfless nature of a life committed to putting the country and his fellow Americans first."
Krishnamoorthi endorsed Harris in a later post.
"I am proud to endorse Kamala Harris for President. As we figure out the path forward to ensure an equitable nomination process, I look forward to doing my part to ensure she becomes the first female, first Asian-American, and first South Asian President of the United States," he wrote.
Illinois U.S. Reps. Danny Davis, Bill Foster, Jonathan Jackson, Lauren Underwood, Sean Casten, Brad Schneider, Jan Schakowsky, Nikki Budzinski, and Eric Sorensen all have endorsed Harris as well.
The Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which has worked closely with the Biden-Harris Administration, says:
"There will be quick and enthusiastic unity around the nominee. Whether or not there is a formal process, we believe that will be Vice President Kamala Harris. President Biden's decision to pass the torch was made out of a love of country, and we thank him for his service."
Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi said the announcement "is the culmination of years of lies from the Biden White House and Democrats shaming anyone who questioned the fitness of President Biden. Democrats are divided, torn apart by their own duplicity trying to pass off President Biden's inability to fulfill his role, while Republicans stand united behind President Trump and an agenda of freedom, prosperity, and safety."