STOUGHTON, Wis. — Top Wisconsin Democrats are uniting behind Vice President Kamala Harris after President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he will step down from the presidential race.
“I think he made the right decision,” Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said at a campaign stop in Stoughton. “He always said that he wanted to be a president who was a bridge to the next generation, and he has just made that so.”
Baldwin and other Democrats have been reluctant to weigh in on the issue of Biden’s age ever since his debate performance last month sparked concerns about whether the president is fit for another term in office. But within hours of Biden’s announcement on Sunday, Baldwin endorsed Harris.
"I’m proud to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President. Today is a new beginning for our party and our country—and I'm excited to keep working together to lower costs for Wisconsin families, grow our Made in America economy, and restore our fundamental rights and freedoms," said Baldwin.
Governor Tony Evers followed suit, endorsing Harris and expressing confidence in her ability to beat Trump in November.
"I’m excited today to endorse Vice President Harris as our nominee for President of the United States. She can beat Donald Trump, and I’m going to do everything I can between now and November 5th to help make sure she does."
Mayor Cavalier Johnson backed Biden's choice to endorse Harris and pledged his support to her campaign.
"I trust Joe Biden. For over half a century he's dedicated his life in service to our nation. Joe has given Kamala Harris his unwavering endorsement to carry the mantle of our party into the November 5th election and to serve every citizen in our country.
Just as hard as I worked to support President Joe Biden, I'll now focus my attention to make sure that we elect Kamala Harris to be the next president of the United States."
Representative Mark Pocan was the only Democratic member of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to publicly call for the president to bow out of the race. He said he’s excited to see a fresh face at the top of the Democratic ticket.
“You’re getting someone who’s maybe got more energy to get out there and campaign and show what Democrats are about,” Pocan said in an interview Sunday. “I think a lot is now going to come down to the issues, and that’s where we do even better.”
The Democratic nominee will be chosen at the party’s nominating convention next month, leaving them with only a few months to mount their campaign. Democratic organizers who showed up to Baldwin’s rally in Stoughton said they’re ready to get behind whoever the party selects.
“People are excited to move forward,” said Stoughton Mayor Tim Swadley. “There’s a lot of people on the bench. Any one of them would be great. I think the vice president certainly should have a lot to say about it.”
The Milwaukee DNC Delegates quickly spoke out in support of Harris, "We are excited to support Kamala Harris as our presidential nominee. We have full confidence in her and are energized to help her win this November!!"
Roger Thompson, with organizing group Team Stoughton, said he’s observed “an uneasiness” over Biden’s age when talking to local voters.
“I’m sure today’s announcement will be a surprise. But as Senator Baldwin indicated, he did the right thing, in his mind, for the people and for the country,” Thompson said.
Other Wisconsin leaders including, Congressman Gwen Moore, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jill Underly, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, and Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway have endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democrat's 2024 presidential nominee.
Baldwin’s opponent, Republican businessman Eric Hovde, criticized the senator on Sunday for not speaking up sooner about Biden’s age.
“She stayed on the sidelines, dodging reporters and refusing to stand up for Wisconsinites. She’s been friends with President Biden for decades and never once told us about his obvious problems,” Hovde said in a statement.
Wisconsin voters will get an up-close look at what Harris has to offer when she visits Milwaukee on Tuesday — an event that could be her first push to clinch the Democratic nomination.
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