By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona elected officials responded to Sunday’s historic announcement from President Joseph R. Biden that he would not be seeking reelection in the November General Election.
On Sunday, President Biden capped weeks of rampant criticism and speculation about the future of his candidacy for the highest office in the United States of America, announcing he would not be continuing his campaign just months before voters head to the polls to select their next Commander in Chief.
In a letter released on “X,” Biden wrote, “It has been the greatest honor of my life 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 remainder of my term.”
Less than an hour later, Biden endorsed his Vice President to carry the mantle for his party’s nomination in its upcoming convention, saying, “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats – it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
Governor Katie Hobbs said, “President Biden is the embodiment of a public servant. Throughout his career, he has led with integrity, selflessness, and unparalleled empathy. His decision today is a clear reflection of these qualities and his commitment to putting the American people first.”
Attorney General Kris Mayes added, “I want to think President Joe Biden for his dedicated service to our nation. From guiding us out of the pandemic, to revitalizing our economy and supporting freedom and democracy at home and abroad. I stand ready to help move America forward and am honored to support Vice President Kamala Harris as our Presidential nominee.”
Arizona Speaker of the House Ben Toma posted, “An historic moment in several ways. The Democrat machine and their allies in the media push out their standard bearer. Biden in turn endorses a much more radical progressive at a time when Americans are rejecting such policies. All against the backdrop of President Trump and a united Republican/conservative coalition whose aims include a secure border, less government interference, and a stronger natural defense.”
Former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich told AZ Free News that, “It’s no surprise that the democrats worried about Joe Biden’s re-election chances. The surprising part is that his announcement didn’t come sooner. Regardless of who they nominate now, how do they explain the border crisis and high prices the Democrats created? But as far as predictions, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Mark Kelly as part of the ticket.”
Brnovich and Harris served together as state attorneys general before the California prosecutor was elevated to her federal office on the Biden presidential ticket in 2020. In April 2021, Brnovich sent a letter to Harris, inviting her to the southern border. He told Harris that this tour would “provide firsthand insight into what Arizonans, law enforcement officials, and migrants are experiencing.”
A little more than a month after this initial communication, Brnovich wrote to President Biden about Harris ignoring his invitation, requesting “that she be replaced as [his] ‘border czar.’” He said, “We are now nearly 50 days into her appointment, and Vice President Harris has shown little interest in observing what is happening along the border and has failed to articulate any plan to deal with the devastating effects of this crisis. Instead, she has traveled to other states for unrelated and less-pressing matters. Mr. President, this is a slap in the face to Arizonans who helped elect you both to the highest offices in the land.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
