Local Electeds Reflect As President Biden Ends Reelection Bid

President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he will not seek reelection in 2024, setting the stage for a new chapter in American politics after a tenure marked by efforts to tackle recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, and global diplomacy.

The announcement came just before 10:46 a.m. PST. Moments after the announcement, Biden called on Democrats to support Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee. 

Biden’s decision not to pursue a second term comes after months of speculation and discussions within his inner circle.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” he wrote. “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.” 

Biden, like many other Democratic candidates, campaigned in Pasadena and visited the City several times.

In 2019, while campaigning for president, Biden appeared at a fundraiser at the home of then-Pasadena City Councilmember John J. Kennedy.

Kennedy and Biden’s friendship dated back more than 30 years. 

In 2012, Biden, who was serving as vice president, visited an undisclosed location in Pasadena. This was verified by a spokesperson for the Pasadena Police Department. As part of a campaign stop, Biden attended a $5,000.00 per person luncheon.

The cries for Biden to step down began after his performance at a debate against Donald Trump in June, and continued to grow.

Democratic heavyweights including local Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena) last week joined those calling on Biden to step down. 

“While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch. And in doing so, secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election,” Schiff said in a statement. 

On Sunday, Judy Chu (D-Pasadena) said she was thankful to and inspired by President Biden for his unwavering commitment to bettering our country. 

Rep. Judy Chu, who represents Pasadena, expressed her gratitude to President Joe Biden, highlighting several key achievements of his administration. Chu commended Biden for steering the country out of a once-in-a-century pandemic and combating anti-Asian hate. She praised his efforts in signing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law and initiating plans for a national museum celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander history.

Chu also recognized Biden’s historic nominations of women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ Americans to executive and judicial positions. She noted his role in driving an infrastructure and manufacturing boom and leading an unparalleled economic recovery. Additionally, she lauded his success in lowering health care costs by challenging Big Pharma and overseeing the largest investment in climate crisis mitigation, which included the protection of millions of acres of public lands such as the San Gabriel Mountains in her district.

Furthermore, Chu acknowledged Biden’s efforts in championing the first gun safety legislation in decades, expanding the NATO alliance, combating global authoritarianism, and rebuilding and strengthening the nation’s democracy in the aftermath of the events of January 6, 2021.

“I can never forget the empathy President Biden showed in a time of immense need for the families of the victims of a mass shooting in my hometown Monterey Park,” Chu said. “I am forever grateful for the hours he spent with us in this selfless act of healing for our community. President Biden is a good, decent man who has always been a warrior for the soul of this nation. We are a better nation for his leadership. I thank him for his decades of service and look forward to fighting with him on behalf of the American people for the remainder of his term and beyond.”

Last week, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo became the first Democratic mayor in the nation to call on Biden to withdraw from the race. 

“President Joe Biden is a patriot that has dedicated his life to America and we all should be grateful for his service,” Gordo said Sunday.

Biden’s presidency has been defined by a focus on healthcare reform, climate change initiatives, and efforts to strengthen alliances abroad. His administration faced challenges, including partisan divisions in Congress and ongoing economic concerns, but Biden stressed that his decision was not based on political obstacles.

Biden’s announcement has significant implications for the upcoming presidential race. Donald Trump accepted the nomination last week at the GOP Convention.

“My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President,” Biden said. “And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. 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.”