SC politicians react after Joe Biden suspends 2024 presidential campaign

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 White House race on Sunday, ending his re-election bid just four months before the election.

While this is the first time a sitting president has withdrawn from a race in recent history, it is not the first time. In American history, there have been seven sitting presidents who did not seek a second term: James K. Polk (in 1848), James Buchanan (in 1860), Rutherford B. Hayes (in 1880), Calvin Coolidge (in 1928), Harry S. Truman (in 1952), and Lyndon B. Johnson (in 1968).

Joe Biden said in a statement on X/Twitter:

South Carolina politicians have been quick to respond to the historic event.

South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew Mckissick said in a statement:

“The Democrats tried to get President Trump off the ballot in multiple states, then they turned the justice system into a pawn in political warfare, and now they’re dropping Joe Biden in the hopes that it will solve their problems.”

“I urge them to simply acknowledge the truth: the American people do not support their ideas or their record. No amount of changing players can fix that for them, and Donald J. Trump will be the 47th President of the United States of America.“

Many Republicans in South Carolina have responded to the end of Biden’s campaign and called for the president’s resignation altogether.

From Nancy Mace, U.S. House Representative:

Doesn’t have the mental acuity or cognitive ability to run a political campaign but can still serve as president for 6 months? He should resign. https://t.co/McOWKGUVZA

— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) July 21, 2024

From Congressman William Timmons:

“Joe Biden needs to resign. If he can’t run for re-election today, he shouldn’t be our president tomorrow.”

Joe Biden must resign. If he cannot run for re-election today, he should not be our president tomorrow. https://t.co/5wn7OIqDF1

— Congressman William Timmons (@RepTimmons) July 21, 2024

Jaime Harrison, DNC chair and South Carolina resident, said in a statement:

“The American people owe President Biden an enormous debt of gratitude for the unprecedented progress he has made over the past four years. We will honor that legacy and the decision he made today by firmly committing to nominating and electing a Democratic president in November who will carry that torch for the next four years.

“The work we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear. In the days ahead, the party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established party rules and procedures. Our representatives are prepared to take seriously their responsibility to quickly deliver a candidate to the American people.

“Democrats are prepared and united in our determination to win in November. As we move forward with the formal selection of our party’s nominee, our values as Democrats remain the same: cut costs, restore freedom, protect the rights of all people, and save our democracy from the threat of dictatorship. We have and will continue to advocate for this to the American people.

“Soon the American people will hear from the Democratic Party what the next steps are and how the nomination process should proceed.”“

This article will be updated throughout the day.

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