Maine leaders praise Biden’s presidency, back decision to withdraw from race

President Joe Biden (center) on Air Force One with (right to left) independent Sen. Angus King and Democratic Reps. Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree, all of Maine. (Rep. Chellie Pingree/ Facebook)

Following news that President Joe Biden was withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, Maine’s members of Congress and other leaders praised his decision as well as his leadership.

“Joe Biden has been an exceptional president and it’s been an honor to work with him and his administration. We have achieved so much,” U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree wrote on X. “Once again, President Biden has met the moment and made the careful decision to withdraw from the 2024 race — putting what’s best for the American people and our country first and passing the torch to the next generation of leaders.” 

“Our goal remains the same: ensure Donald Trump does not end up back in the White House,” Pingree continued. “The stakes could not be greater.”

Comparing him to former President George Washington, who chose to retire after serving two terms, U.S. Sen. Angus King, an independent, called Biden’s decision the “ultimate act of patriotism.”

“In his farewell address, George Washington said, ‘that, in withdrawing the tender of service which silence in my situation might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of grateful respect,’” King wrote on social media.  

“Like our first president, Joe Biden recognizes that the presidency is not about one person, or one party. It’s about the American people,” he continued. “And today, in one of the most challenging geopolitical moments in history, the American people are in need of a new leader who can take on those abroad who are trying to destroy freedom and democracy, while also meeting our challenges here at home and ensuring our nation lives up to its highest ideas.” 

“President Biden’s decision to step aside from his reelection run will cement his legacy among some of the greatest statements in our country’s history,” King added.

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat who stopped short of calling for Biden to step down, said the president’s decision not to seek the nomination “is the right decision for the good of the country.”

In his statement, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic Party nomination, which is set to officially take place next month. 

While members of Congress so far declined to mention Harris, Gov. Janet Mills — a Democrat who has been campaigning on Biden’s behalf — said she will do everything she can “to elect Vice President Kamala Harris, a friend and former colleague as Attorney General and fighter for the people, as our next president.”

Of Biden, Mills said the president “is a person of great integrity and great heart, and he has been a true friend to the State of Maine.”

Pointing to his accomplishments, Mills said she has “no doubt that history will recognize President Biden as the most legislatively successful president since Lyndon Johnson.”

Maine House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland), who when elected was the first Black woman to serve on the Legislature and is now the first African American in Maine legislative leadership, wrote on social media that Harris “has my full support and I will be doing everything I can to see her elected our next President.”

Maine Sec. of State Shenna Bellows also indicated her support for the vice president. “2024 would be a very good year to elect our nation’s first black woman President,” Bellows wrote on social media.

Ryan Fecteau, who previously served as Speaker of the Maine Legislature and is among the Maine delegates elected to attend the Democratic National Convention next month, wrote of Biden: “One of the greatest presidents in a long time and he cements that legacy by putting his country before his ego. I look forward to being part of a history making convention in Chicago.”

Republicans react

Maine GOP chair Joel Stetkis issued a statement imploring Republicans to vote in November.

“Joe Biden has been a terrible president for Maine,” Stetkis wrote in a statement posted to social media. “Mainers should remember that whoever the Democrats choose to run will have been a supporter of Biden’s policies that have crushed the working class in our state.”

Austin Theriault, a freshman Republican legislator, only asked if Golden — who he is challenging for the 2nd District U.S. House seat — would now support Harris.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins did not respond to a request for comment.

This story was updated to include comments from Speaker Talbot Ross and Republicans.

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