Colorado Democrats quickly praised President Joe Biden’s decision to step out of the race for reelection on Sunday, while at least one Republican official called for him to resign immediately.
Biden announced he would “stand down” from seeking reelection in a statement posted just before noon Sunday, the culmination of weeks of behind-the-scenes and public pressure from Democrats concerned about his chances of winning against former President Donald Trump in November.
In a statement, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis thanked Biden for his partnership and work to help Coloradans.
“This could not have been an easy decision but it is the right one, and Joe Biden promised Americans he would always do what’s right for our country and once again he has delivered,” Polis said in a statement Sunday.
U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, the highest-ranking Democrat among Colorado’s congressional delegation, thanked Biden for decades of service and leadership “as one of the most effective Presidents in my lifetime” in a post on X.
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet said the country owes Biden a “debt of gratitude” for his decision to leave the race.
“We may not know what comes next, but by passing the torch to a new standard bearer, President Biden has again given us the chance to beat Donald Trump and give our children the future they deserve,” Bennet said in a statement.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, also a Democrat, was among several officials praising Biden’s decision to “pass the torch.”
“I sincerely thank President Biden for his service to our country and look forward to supporting the Party’s next leader,” Griswold wrote in a post on X. “Donald Trump and MAGA extremism must be defeated in November.”
Meanwhile, Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert called on Biden to immediately resign “if (he) can’t run for office” in posts on her official and personal X accounts, criticizing Democrats for disregarding the primary election.
U.S. Rep. Jason Crow was among the elected officials who previously raised the alarm about Biden’s reelection chances to publicly praise the president’s decision Sunday.
Crow, a Democrat from Aurora, reportedly argued with Biden about his reelection chances over a Zoom call last weekend.
“As a soldier and now as a Congressman, I have felt an unshakeable duty to protect our democracy, people, and ideals. This moment is no different,” Crow said in a statement. “Donald Trump is a threat to democracy and would make our country unrecognizable. We must unite and defeat him in November.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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