Wisconsin leaders praise Biden, rally around Harris to defeat Trump

The president’s withdrawal from the presidential race is followed by Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s immediate endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Three weeks of apprehension gave way to a torrent of gratitude as President Joe Biden’s announcement of his withdrawal from the presidential race was met with praise from Wisconsin’s Democratic leaders.

“President Biden has been an extraordinary president, one of—if not the most—well-accomplished presidents of my lifetime,” said Gov. Tony Evers. “He has led and guided us through some of the most tumultuous times in our nation’s history—a ravaging pandemic and economic disaster, wars the world over, an insurrection, and a near-daily assault on basic tenets of our democracy and our more prized institutions. And he did so all while delivering for the American people, enacting historic investments in our infrastructure, helping rebuild the middle class, working to reduce costs for working families and seniors, fighting against attacks on reproductive freedom, passing real solutions to the climate crisis, and so much more.”

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, whose reelection campaign was pummeled with inquiries about support for Biden after his shaky performance in a debate with former President Donald Trump, was quick to link the Biden-Harris administration’s accomplishments with her own work as she seeks a third term.

“Today, seniors are paying less for their prescription drugs, our state has been put to work rebuilding our infrastructure, and millions of Wisconsinites with preexisting conditions have health care coverage because of the work we’ve done together,” said Baldwin. “It has been an honor to work with Joe Biden to deliver real, meaningful change for working Wisconsinites across our state.”

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley noted specific difference-makers for his communities because of Biden-Harris priorities over the past three years.

“Here in Milwaukee County, President Biden has delivered generational investments in affordable housing, health care, and economic development,” Crowley said. “He always listened to us and brought solutions to the table that lift up residents and families, support vulnerable populations, and foster healthier communities. Today’s decision shows that President Biden cares deeply about the future of our country and I commend him for prioritizing our country’s best interests.”

Still Ahead: Defeating Donald Trump

The gratitude from Democrats was matched with recognition that there is still a long fight ahead if they want to prevent Trump from winning a second term, especially by winning Wisconsin as he did in 2016.

“Donald Trump wants to be a dictator on day one,” Evers noted. “He is a dangerous threat to our democracy and our country, and he will enact a radical, authoritarian agenda if he returns to the Oval Office. There is much work ahead of us, and Wisconsin Democrats and I will spend every moment of every day for the next 107 days working to defeat him.”

Endorsing Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris received Biden’s immediate endorsement after his Sunday announcement. Baldwin, who served with Harris during her time as a California senator from 2017 to 2021, wasn’t far behind.

“Today I’m proud to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States,” Baldwin said in a statement. “I look forward to her candidacy as a new beginning for our party and our country and I am excited to work with her to lower costs for Wisconsin families, grow our Made in America economy, and restore our fundamental rights and freedoms.”

After thanking Biden for his service, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said, “I’m enthusiastic about supporting Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign for President. She has been a champion for working families, battled special interests, fought crime, and been a powerful voice for reproductive freedom. I look forward to her being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.”

Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski posted a photo of her and Harris on an airport tarmac with Air Force Two in the background. “Let’s go, Kamala Harris! Fired up to break that presidential glass ceiling!”

More Biden Reaction

Godlewski said of Biden: “Thank you for your selfless service! You’ve led our country and achieved so much: lowering prescription drug prices, fixing roads and bridges, fighting climate change, protecting our democracy, and strengthening access to reproductive healthcare. As we say in Wisconsin, we will continue to move this legacy and agenda FORWARD!”

Congressional candidate and state Assembly Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), one of three Democrats running in next month’s 3rd Congressional District primary, said Biden’s “leadership has steered us through unprecedented challenges, and his commitment to the American people has been unwavering—rebuilding our infrastructure, fighting for good, union jobs, and standing up for the middle class.”

“The president’s decision to step aside is a deeply patriotic act,” Shankland said. “Now, we must all come together to defeat the radical MAGA agenda this November.”

Candidate Rebecca Cooke posted: “Grateful for the decades of service President Biden devoted to our country. I’m more focused than ever to flip this seat, win back the House Majority, re-elect Senator Baldwin and keep responsible leadership in the White House. It all runs through [the 3rd District]. Today, we usher in our next generation of leaders.”

Candidate Eric Wilson said: “President Biden is the most progressive president in American history. I thank him for his leadership and for his decades of public service to our country. Democrats are unified in a vision of progress that carries forward Joe Biden’s progressive legacy.”

Wilson said an expanded progressive agenda —Medicare for all, a Green New Deal, full student debt relief, an assault weapons ban, and a wealth tax — “will be the only way to defeat Donald Trump and [3rd District US Rep.} Derrick Van Orden.”

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler called Biden a transformational leader.

“With razor-thin majorities in the House and Senate, President Biden accomplished what other leaders dreamed of: He secured historic investments in American infrastructure, moved the nation through a deadly pandemic, faced down Big Pharma head-on to cut the cost of prescription drugs and increase access to health care, passed the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in 30 years, signed marriage equality into law, and is tackling the climate crisis every day,” said Wikler.

“Joe Biden met the moment at a time of urgent need. That’s who he is.”