President Joe Biden has dropped out of the race for reelection, making the announcement on Sunday, while endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination.
The announcement comes following weeks of speculation, mounting pressure and calls from many elected Democrats, that he not seek re-election for a second term. The calls became more frequent following the 81-year old President’s poor performance in the first Presidential debate against Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump.
Biden, currently recovering from COVID at home in Delaware, make his announcement in a letter to the American peope, stating, “It has been the greatest honor of my like to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainer of my term.”
President Biden says he will address the nation later in the week to address his decision.
Vice President Harris, age 59, by allow accounts, is the favorite to become the Democratic nominee during party’s convention in Chicago in mid-August.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D- NY) reacted to Biden’s decision, stating, “His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first.”