Gov. JB Pritzker, Illinois leaders react after Biden drops out of 2024 race ahead of Chicago DNC

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Reactions are pouring in Sunday afternoon from Illinois Democrats and Republicans after President Joe Biden announced he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.



President Joe Biden is leaving the 2024 race after a halting debate performance against Donald Trump led to questions from Democrats about his age, ability to carry out his campaign and whether he could serve a second term.

Biden said in a statement posted Sunday that he will "stand down."

"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 remainder of my term," he wrote.



SEE ALSO | Live updates: Campaign renamed to 'Harris for President'

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker posted the following statement to social media.



Governor Pritzker on social media did not mention Harris, instead focusing on Biden.





Former President Barack Obama likewise did not mention Harris, saying, "We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges."

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson released the following statement.

"President Biden united the country by defeating Donald Trump in 2020 and Chicago is grateful for his leadership and service. Today, President Biden cemented his legacy as the rare leader who puts the people above himself. It is vital for our entire party to come together and support Vice President Kamala Harris. I am proud to give her my full endorsement. Vice President Harris is the visionary leader that we need now to defeat the threat of another Trump presidency. She has proven herself as a fearless defender of our democracy. I look forward to doing everything I can to ensure she becomes our next President."

Illinois voter reaction

Chicago's United Center was poised to be the place where President Biden was to formally accept his party's nomination. Now, with his decision to step aside, some voters Sunday night are rethinking their plans at the ballot box.



Patrons gathered inside iconic MacArthur's in the city's Austin community during an afternoon rush, where some heard the news for the first time.



"I think this has thrown people off. They don't know which way to turn, so it's going to be a hard choice," voter Keyba Vann said.

Biden's decision comes amid mounting pressure by some in his own party for him to step away from his fight for a second term and on the heels of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Multiple source told ABC News the DNC is expected to hold an all-staff meeting Sunday. According to DNC officials, now, without a rule change, many delegates who were assigned to Biden would go into the Democratic National Convention uncommitted.



"Here in Chicago, our mission remains the same. During the convention, we will have an opportunity to show the country and the world who Democrats are and what we stand for," a statement from DNC Chair Minyon Moore read in part. "Over the past year, we have been building the stage - literally and figuratively - for President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats to tell our story to the American people. The historic progress Democrats achieved under the Biden-Harris Administration will still be central to that story, as will the story of what is at stake in this election. We look forward to welcoming delegates and guests to Chicago from August 19-22 for the Democratic National Convention to rally behind our Democratic nominees for President and Vice President of the United States and ensure we defeat Donald Trump once again..."

The uncertainty ahead of the DNC comes as Biden is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place on the blue stage. However, Harris possibly being at the top of ticket is bringing mixed reactions from some voters about her ability to win, while some say it could be a fresh start for the Democratic Party.

"I think I need to watch a little more first and see what the options are," voter Tara Goodwin said.

The DNC will kick off August 19 in Chicago.

"It's really the only way forward, and it presents them an opportunity to pin it on how they view it. But, it could be an opportunity rather than them throwing in the towel," voter Nathan Majors said.

While the public reacted to Biden's decision, the Chicago area also saw reaction from politicians on both sides of the aisle.

Democrat reaction

Illinois Democrats offered their thanks to Biden and his long political career.



Kamala Harris may be the early favorite to lead the democratic ticket for November, and many Illinois Democrats are getting on board the Harris express, including Congressman Mike Quigley, the first high-profile Illinois member of Congress to call for President Biden to step aside.

"The top of the ticket means everything in a presidential election, all of a sudden, as bad as the polling was for the President, which is unfortunate, but it's just the way it was," Quigley said. "That just was as bad as the polling was for the President. It is a horse race today."

Other Democrats also expressed excitement with Harris being endorsed by President Biden.

"I am optimistic that the Democratic Party will choose a candidate," Illinois U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia said. "I have endorsed the Vice President Harris. I think she can make a compelling case against Donald Trump."

But with the Democratic National Convention less than a month away, Democrats know they need to move quickly to decide their nominee. Congressman Danny Davis said it should not be a top-down decision.

"We can go ahead, in the next few days, and see if we can't wrap this up," Davis said. "But if it takes a little longer, it takes a little longer, and that's what democracy means to Democrats."

As previously mentioned, while many in the Illinois delegation are supporting Harris to lead the ticket, some of the biggest names in the party appear to be taking a wait and see approach, including Pritzker and Obama.

Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin released the following statement.

"Throughout his public career, Joe Biden always put country first. His four years as President made it clear that he was determined to put our country back on track and restore the soul of our nation. America will be forever grateful for all he has given to this country. Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort."

Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth released the following statement.

"No one has done more for working Americans than Joe Biden-and so many of us owe him a debt of gratitude for everything he's done to improve our country. Over more than 50 years in public service, he's built an unparalleled record of accomplishments. From helping write the Violence Against Women Act in the Senate to shepherding the Affordable Care Act into law as Vice President and from helping guide our nation out of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic to overseeing historic wage and job growth during his Presidency, Joe Biden has always put our country first and worked to change so many aspects of our lives for the better. From the bottom of my heart, I thank him for his effective and successful leadership and for, once again, putting our country before himself. This difficult decision ensures that Democrats can focus on the goal that unites each and every one of us: defeating Donald Trump and preventing another four years of his destructive chaos and corruption."

Illinois Democratic Party Chair Lisa Hernandez released the following statement.

"Today, we express our deepest gratitude to President Joe Biden for his unwavering service and dedication to our nation. Under his leadership, President Biden navigated some of the most challenging times in recent history-and without failure, he showed us that he is a man of the people. President Biden's legacy is defined by his empathy, resilience, and steadfast commitment to the American people. When President Biden took office, our nation was grappling with a devastating once-in-a-century pandemic. His administration successfully guided us through this unprecedented crisis. And during his presidency, President Biden has worked tirelessly to rebuild the backbone of America-a strong and inclusive middle class. His administration has created over 15.5 million jobs, including 459.7k jobs in Illinois in the last 3.5 years. His efforts to lower prescription drug costs and make health care more accessible have provided relief to millions for Americans. These accomplishments will have a lasting impact on our country and will continue to guide as we move forward. We face a critical moment in our democracy. The stakes could not be higher, and we must stand firm against the threats posed by a potential Trump-Vance presidency. Donald Trump and J.D. Vance represents a return to policies that favor the wealthy, threaten our health care, and undermine our democratic institutions. We must ensure that their regressive and divisive agenda does not prevail. The Democratic Party of Illinois is committed to this fight. We will mobilize, organize, and vote to ensure that the Democratic ticket prevails in November. Together, we can finish the job and build a stronger, more equitable nation. Thank you, President Biden, for your service and leadership. The work continues, and we are ready to face the challenges ahead with unity and resolve."

Republican reaction

Local Republican leaders said President Biden's announcement was, in their eyes, expected.



"We have everything we need to be successful," Illinois GOP spokesperson Aaron Del Mar said. "The Democrats are starting from scratch right now. They need to build not only a candidate but then a narrative behind that candidate. This is something that we thought we would see in the next couple of days because frankly the democrats are running out of time to put together a campaign for whoever their nominee is going to be."

Republican Congressman Darin LaHood issued a statement, saying in part, "It's been clear that President Biden cannot serve four more years, but serious concerns remain about whether he can fulfill his duty over the next four months."

Illinois Republican leaders ABC7 spoke with said they are confident heading into November, touting their party's unity as a major advantage.

"I would suggest that if he's not fit to run for reelection, then he's not fit to serve now in the White House," Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi said. "I can't think of any success that she's achieved. And if anything more she's supported the failed agenda, and she hasn't. She hasn't exercised the leadership that I believe that Americans deserve."

Salvi released the following full statement.

"Today's announcement is the culmination of years of lies from the Biden White House and Democrats shaming anyone who questioned the fitness of President Biden. Democrats are divided, torn apart by their own duplicity trying to pass off President Biden's inability to fulfill his role, while Republicans stand united behind President Trump and an agenda of freedom, prosperity, and safety. Democrats have become the party of self-service while Republicans have become the voice of this nation. We as Illinois Republicans must continue to call attention to JB Pritzker's tax-and-spend, pro-criminal agenda that drives families away rom this state to protect the rest of the nation."

What's next?

The news of President Biden dropping out of the race now leaves a lot of questions for what's next.

ABC7 Political Reporter Craig Wall was joined by ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington to discuss how party delegates and Biden's campaign money will be handled.