North Carolina elected leaders respond to Biden dropping out of election

CHARLOTTE — Elected officials around North Carolina are weighing in on the bombshell news Sunday that President Joe Biden is dropping out of the 2024 presidential election.

Biden made the announcement days after numerous high-ranking Democratic officials called on him to reconsider his run, citing his performance in a debate against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Biden said in his statement that he would focus solely on the remainder of his current presidential term.

Democrats stay positive

Gov. Roy Cooper posted on Sunday praising Biden, calling him a “leader who could help us forge ahead with a vision to repair our country’s soul.”

Gov. Cooper was campaigning with Vice President Kamala Harris last week in Fayetteville. On Sunday, Biden endorsed Harris as a replacement presidential nominee.

Rep. Alma Adams of Charlotte shared on social media that she was thankful for Biden’s leadership.

Rep. Deborah Ross of the Raleigh area sent Channel 9 a statement on Sunday, saying: “Joe Biden is the most consequential president of the past 50 years. He brought our country back from a devastating pandemic, lifted our economy from the depths of a crushing recession, and ushered in a new era of progress that will benefit the American people for generations to come. From the American Rescue Plan to the Inflation Reduction Act to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, President Biden accomplished what many thought was impossible and made crucial investments in our future. During a time of division, he brought leaders together across stark partisan and ideological lines to get big things done for the future of America. Above all, President Biden is a dedicated, selfless public servant who has always put the needs of the American people first. Today, he continued to do just that and solidified his legacy of leadership and service. The path forward is clear– we must unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris to defeat Donald Trump. Together, we can win in November and build on the historic progress forged by President Biden.”

Rep. Jeff Jackson, who is running for attorney general in November, wrote that this was a historic moment.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, who is running for governor in the upcoming election, wrote that Biden “put the American people first throughout his historic career.”

Mecklenburg County state Senator Natasha Marcus, who’s running for state Insurance Commissioner, wrote that the switch will help in the race against Trump.

Republicans go on the offensive

Congressional Rep. Dan Bishop, who is running for North Carolina Attorney General, criticized Biden’s announcement and poked at the Democrats for their replacement.

Rep. Virginia Foxx of NC’s 5th Congressional District called on Biden to “resign immediately.”

Michele Woodhouse, the NCGOP District 11 Chair, told Channel 9: “It doesn’t matter who they put at the top of the ballot. Their policies are the same a policy of open border, big government, crime in our cities, policies that are failing the American people and failing North Carolinians.”

Mark Harris, the Republican candidate for North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District, said in a statement: “The policies are what Americans are stepping back from and saying, look, this is not really what I signed up for. And so whether you have Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket, or Joe Biden at the top of the ticket, the policies don’t change.”

And Trump, who won North Carolina in the 2020 election, wrote on social media saying that Biden’s replacement will be “more of the same.”

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

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