HONOLULU (KHON2) — President Joe Biden announced Sunday morning he would no longer be participating in the 2024 president election.
Since his announcement, he has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency.
Governor Josh Green said in a statement:
Rep. Ed Case, Dr. Jill Biden, Sen. Brian Schatz, First Lady Jaime Green, Gov. Josh Green, Sen. Mazie Hirono, President Biden, Maui Mayor Bissen and LG Sylvia Luke visit Lahaina on Aug. 21, 2023.
“President Biden and his family have made this decision, which I said all along was his and theirs to make. I have no doubt that it was a difficult decision and in this, I thank him again for his selfless leadership.”
“On behalf of the state of Hawaiʻi, especially the residents of Maui, I express our forever-gratitude to President Biden for granting wildfire disaster relief within an unprecedented six hours of our making the request in a time of our people’s deepest need.”
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D) has said the following regarding the President’s latest news.
Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, speaks during a Senate Foreign Relations committee hearing on the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget in Washington, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. (Al Drago/Pool Photo via AP)
“For over 50 years, Joe Biden has been a selfless patriot and dedicated public servant who’s given everything to the country he so dearly loves. As a senator, vice president, and now president, he has spent most of his life working to make people’s lives better and the world safer. Today, yet again, he has put the country before himself, making the best choice for the American people in this uniquely consequential moment. For that, and for his lifetime of service, we should all be deeply grateful.
“It’s not an overstatement to say Joe Biden has been and is the most consequential president of our lifetimes. His legislative accomplishments speak for themselves and will endure for generations to come. He took the biggest climate action in human history. He cut the cost of prescription drugs for seniors and made our communities safer by passing long-overdue gun reform. He’s also revitalized our nation’s infrastructure and strengthened our alliances around the world.
“There’s no question Americans today are better off because of Joe Biden.”
Mayor Rick Blangiardi also commented on the withdrawal with the following statement:
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi held his 2022 State of the City Address on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
“President Biden’s decision to step down from the presidential race is a testament to his unwavering commitment to our nation’s democratic principles. His choice reflects a profound understanding of the responsibilities of leadership and a deep respect for the will of the American people.
Throughout his career, President Biden has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to public service, his legacy will be marked by his efforts to unite our nation and advance the values we hold dear.
Let us honor his patriotic decision by continuing to work together for the betterment of our country. We are grateful for his service and his enduring commitment to the ideals that make our nation strong.”
Congressman Ed Case’s statement:
Congressman Ed Case in studio at KHON2 News after being reelected to Hawaii’s First Congressional District.
“Words cannot fully express the moment.
As he has all his life, as have our greatest leaders, President Biden put his country before himself.
I am deeply grateful for his service, especially to our Hawai’i, and will continue to work fully with him and his administration throughout his term.
The path ahead is difficult and I will take some limited time to discuss with my constituents and colleagues the best way forward on a Democratic nominee.
Today is about President Biden and his legacy of service to country first.”