Arkansas Democrats laud Biden’s ‘selfless’ campaign withdrawal, vow to support Harris as nominee

The Democratic Party of Arkansas offered its support of President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race Sunday.

Arkansas Democrats are “incredibly proud” of Biden “not only for his responsive and selfless decision to step aside, but also for his steadfast leadership and historic accomplishments” over the last four years, according to a statement issued Sunday afternoon.  

“Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration more than $4 billion is being invested in Arkansas,” the statement reads. “Democrats will continue our commitment to working for a better Arkansas.”

When contacted by the Advocate, Grant Tenille, state party chairman and chair of the party delegation to the national convention next month, referred a reporter to the Democratic Party of Arkansas statement, which said “we will send updates as we receive more information about the nomination process and national convention.”

Dean MacDonald, one of six electors chosen by state Democrats in June, said on X: “It is 2024, and a Woman needs to be president. Now.” He later clarified he meant Kamala Harris.

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott also praised Biden and said he’d support Harris.

“I know Kamala, and she has our back,” the mayor said in a statement.

Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in a social media post called on Biden to exit the White House immediately. 

“Not fit to run for president, not fit to serve as president,” Sanders said. “Biden should resign immediately.”

President Joe Biden bows out of reelection campaign, Harris vows to win nomination

Sanders followed later with another post: “Trump saved America from Hillary and will now save America from Kamala.”

Chris Jones, the Democrat who ran against Sanders for governor in 2022, thanked Biden on X “for your lifetime of service to our country… . You’ve shown, and continue to show, what true public service looks like. Onward!” Jones also is a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, which meets in Chicago beginning Aug. 19.

Scott said in a statement that Little Rock “weathered a volatile economy, experienced historic job growth and invested in its infrastructure” thanks to key Biden administration legislative action like the American Rescue Plan Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“I honor his service and look forward to helping unite our nation behind Vice President Kamala Harris to continue the progress,” Scott said.

Arkansas Senate Minority Leader Greg Leding took to X to praise Biden for his achievements including passage of “historic, bipartisan pieces of legislation during a time of deep division in Congress.” 

Leding, who is a delegate to the national convention, also committed to electing a president “who’ll serve our nation’s highest office with integrity, steady leadership, and a deep commitment to fighting for everyday Americans.”

“President Biden now caps off a life of selfless public service with one of the most selfless acts of all,” Leding wrote. “I am sincerely grateful to our President, and I wish him and his family only the best in the years to come.”

Former President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a joint statement praising Biden and thanking him for “all he has accomplished” and for always doing what’s best for the country.

The Clintons also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the candidate who should replace Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket in November.

Retired Army Col. Marcus Jones, Democratic candidate for U.S. House District 2, issued a statement calling key Biden legislative packages “unprecedented accomplishments for Arkansas and our Nation.”

Jones said Biden’s decision to step aside “solidified a legacy of selfless service and commitment to all Americans.”

Jones is running against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill, who called Biden’s exit from the presidential race “the worst kept secret” and said it changes nothing about the dynamics of the campaign.

“President Biden can run from the campaign trail, but Democrats cannot escape their record of failure,” Hill said in a statement. “They have failed at fixing the chaos at our border, failed at reining in the high inflation hurting families, and failed at leading on the world stage.”