President Biden Ends Re-Election Bid, Endorses Harris

On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced that he was ending his re-election bid in a statement published to social media. He quickly followed up the stunning announcement with his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for President. 

The Chair of the Texas Democratic Party, Gilberto Hinojosa, issued a statement thanking Biden for his service, and decision. “The President’s decision does not come lightly, and does not discredit the momentous contributions that President Joe Biden delivered over the last four years and through decades of service,” said Hinojosa. “The path forward is clear: Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike must unite, mobilize and vote to once again reject Donald Trump, whose extreme defining principles are in opposition to the values of the middle class.”   

Biden’s decision comes with less than a month until the Democratic National Convention, which will be in Chicago starting August 19. The Texas Democratic Party is holding a call for Texas delegation members to go over the next steps before the party formally endorses the nominee on Monday evening. 

Thus far, Vice President Kamala Harris has accumulated a bevy of endorsements from around the country beyond Biden. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, Mark Kelly, Alex Padilla have all endorsed her candidacy. She also has the backing of influential groups like the Congressional Black Caucus, EMILY’s List, Latino Victory Fund, and Reproductive Freedom For All.

Texas Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, who had been a national co-chair for Biden's re-election, endorsed Harris. "She, too, earned 14 million votes in the primary, & will lead the fight for our freedoms against Trump's Project 2025 that seeks end our democracy," said Escobar on social media.

Texas Congressman Greg Casar also endorsed Harris on Sunday. “I am ready to elect her as President,” he said in a statement. State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, who is the Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, endorsed Harris and called her a “trusted leader who will lead our diverse coalition to defend democracy in November.” Julián Castro, the former HUD Secretary and San Antonio mayor, also endorsd Harris and called her the “strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump.”

Congressman Lloyd Doggett, who was the first member of Congress to call on Biden to withdraw, has notably not endorsed Harris. Instead he said that “while with President Biden’s endorsement, Vice President Harris is clearly the leading candidate, we should be open to all talented individuals who wish to be considered.”

The Presidential Election is Tuesday, November 5. The last day to register to vote in Texas is Monday, October 7. Early voting begins in Texas Monday, October 21.