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Top Indiana Democratic candidates praise Biden for withdrawing from presidential race

WFIU | By Brandon Smith
Published July 22, 2024 at 5:14 PM EDT
President Joe Biden is the first presidential incumbent to drop out of their reelection race to be their party's nominee since Lyndon Johnson in 1968. The only other president to do it after launching their reelection campaign is Harry Truman in 1952.
President Joe Biden is the first presidential incumbent to drop out of their reelection race to be their party's nominee since Lyndon Johnson in 1968. The only other president to do it after launching their reelection campaign is Harry Truman in 1952.

Top Indiana Democratic candidates praised  President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential race Sunday.

Gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick said she respects and appreciates Biden’s “legacy” of service, calling his decision to drop out another act in that legacy. McCormick said, as governor, she would be committed to working with whoever is president.

Senate candidate Valerie McCray and Attorney General candidate Destiny Wells similarly praised Biden while also throwing their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him as the Democrats’ presidential nominee.

McCray said Harris would “unlock a new energy” for the race, while Wells said rallying support for Harris continues Biden’s work.

READ MORE: President Biden drops out, endorses VP Harris as nominee

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun and Senate candidate Jim Banks both said that Biden should immediately resign as president if he can’t continue as the nominee. Attorney General Todd Rokita similarly questioned how Biden can serve as president while withdrawing from the race.

Brandon is our Statehouse bureau chief. Contact him at  bsmith@ipbs.org  or follow him on Twitter at  @brandonjsmith5 .
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elections24president bidenjennifer mccormickjim banksValerie McCraytodd rokitamike braunDestiny Wells
Brandon Smith
Brandon J. Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.
See stories by Brandon Smith