Florida, Georgia officials react to Biden dropping out of the presidential race

WASHINGTON – Florida and Georgia officials reacted to President Joe Biden’s announcement that he would not seek reelection in the upcoming presidential race in November.

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Duval County Democratic Party Chair Daniel Henry said it won’t affect the party’s drive to beat the Republican Party.

“I think this allows for us to be able to close a conversation that’s been happening repeatedly over the course of the last three weeks and be able to move forward with renewed to get in a commitment of a party that will come united this August at our convention and this November,” Henry said.

Henry said this is a significant year for people to go vote.

“The idea that President Trump could win this November is very frightening for a lot of people in particularly marginalized communities that will be disproportionately affected by a Trump administration,” Henry said.

Duval County Republican Party Chair Dean Black said he feels the traditional democratic union is separating.

“Republicans are going to vote in enormous numbers,” Black said. “Things look great. I’d certainly rather be us than the Democrats at the moment but Republicans are not going to be stopped from voting.”

Black talked about the demographics of people who are voting Republican.

“We’re seeing now majorities of Hispanic voters voting with Republicans,” Black said. “We’re seeing historic numbers of African-Americans voting Republican, and perhaps most shocking of all, young voters under the age of 30, enormous voting Republican.”

Black gave his opinion about Vice President Kamala Harris replacing Biden.

“The Biden-Harris presidency is responsible for some really bad policies and Vice President Harris owns that,” Black said. “More than that, she is uniquely responsible for the disaster that has been falling on our Southern border, she’s the border’s czar and she’s done a horrible job at the one thing she was tasked to do.”

Henry gave his opinion too.

“I think she’s more than capable of stepping up,” Henry said. “President Biden made that clear over the last three years, but particularly last week when he said, ‘I wouldn’t have chosen Vice President Harris if I didn’t think that she’d be able to step up’ if something were to happen to him. That fact has been legitimized not only by her service but obviously the confidence of the voters when they elected that ticket in 2020.”

Henry talked about the outlook and expected voter turnout for the Democrats.

“I think voter turnout was always going to be high,” Henry said. “This is going to be a close election, and it’s going to be a close election, and it’s going to be a matter of who will be able to bring out their base to show up to win the race. Republicans are clearly organized and excited for their candidate and I think we’re just as excited and enthusiastic about our ticket as well.”

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried released a statement that reads in part:

“Florida Democrats are grateful to him for his work and for all the sacrifices he has made in service to our country,” Fried said.

Pastor and political strategist Dr. John Newman and government law attorney Chris Hand discussed the impact of Biden’s decision.

News4JAX Political Analyst Rick Mullaney talked about the next steps for the Democratic Party.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan made the following post on X (formally Twitter):

Georgia Democratic Party Chair Nikema Williams released the following statement in part:

“President Biden said Georgia made him president, and he’s right. There is much work to be done. Our eyes are on the prize,” Williams said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made the following post on X:

Georiga Rep. Jon Ossoff posted on X:

Georgia Rep. Earl “Buddy” Carter released the following statement:

“Democrat party bosses lied to 14 million voters that President Biden was fit to serve another term,” Carter said. “Now that Biden has stepped aside, those same party bosses are conspiring to anoint a new candidate, whose legacy as ‘Border Czar’ is stained with the blood of thousands of Americans who have died due to the fentanyl and criminals who have come across our wide-open southern border, including Laken Riley right here in Georgia. This is the least democratic nomination process in American history. Washington Democrats will be held accountable for steamrolling and misleading the American people come November.”