Licking County party chairs react to President Biden's decision to end reelection campaign

President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he is ending his 2024 presidential campaign, closing weeks of speculation about whether he would stay in the race despite calls from his own party to exit it.

Reactions from members of both parties came pouring in following Biden’s announcement. Several of them praised Biden for his service, including Licking County Democratic Party Chair Marcia Phelps:

“I respect and appreciate the service that he’s delivered to the United States during his presidency,” Phelps told The Advocate. “But I also would say that this had to have been a difficult decision. I know in his heart that he probably would have liked to continue, but for the betterment of everything, the hard decision he made is admirable and positive for the whole.”

Biden in recent weeks faced multiple calls to withdraw from members of his own party, many of whom felt he had a slim chance to defeat former President Donald Trump, who accepted the Republican Party's nomination last week.

Some Democrats brushed aside Biden’s debate performance last month, but there was mounting pressure from his own party to step aside.

“I think it will be positive for our country as we move forward in this election,” Phelps said.

In his announcement, Biden said he planned to fulfill his duties as president for the rest of his term, but some Republicans are calling on him to resign now.

JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential nominee, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that Biden bowing out would be a “clear admission” about Trump believing Biden is not mentally fit to serve as president.

“I think what we learned was that Joe Biden admitted what we knew is correct — he isn’t up to the job,” Licking County Republican Party Chair Matt Dole said. “I think most Republicans agree that if you can’t run to be president, you shouldn’t be president, and that stepping away from the ticket isn’t enough, that he should resign from the presidency.”

Shortly after his announcement, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee. Phelps said she wasn’t surprised by that decision, citing their time together in office.

“He certainly knows the person that she is and the dedication that she has in her heart for what we need as people,” Phelps said.

Biden’s decision comes just weeks before the 2024 Democratic National Convention is set to kick off in Chicago. Phelps said she hopes the Democratic party chooses a new presidential nominee within the next few weeks so delegates at the convention can support them “as a formality.”

There won’t be any Licking County Democratic Party members serving as delegates at the DNC, Phelps said. The Licking County Republican Party had two members who did so at the RNC.

Advocate reporter Josué Perez can be reached at jhperez@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking County party chairs on Joe Biden exiting presidential race