Missouri Democratic lawmakers react to Biden ending reelection campaign

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Following President Joe Biden ending his bid for reelection, many Missouri democratic lawmakers are saying it was the right choice.

"I think it's a good decision. I think that's what America wants. I think that's what America needed," said Missouri State Representative David Tyson Smith. "You know, I trust President Biden and he did what was best for the country and everyone involved in this whole process."

"We were never in support of Biden's nomination," said Michael Berg, a Missouri delegate for the Democratic National Convention. "Specifically because of his policies of sending arms and diplomatically abetting the genocide of Palestinians," said Berg.

In an interview with ABC 17 Missouri State Representative Doug Mann says he was at the grocery store when he heard the news.

"It was a bit of a shock," Mann said. "It's not something I was expecting today, but I think that the powers that be in Washington, the Democratic leadership, will put together a good rollout for whoever the nominee is going to be and I trust their vision for this."

President Biden announced on Sunday in a post on "X" his decision to end his reelection campaign and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee.

"I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term," the post reads. "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year."

My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024

Mann tells ABC 17 he supports Biden's nomination and thinks that Harris has the necessary qualifications for the job.

"She has shown time and again through her career whether that was as a prosecutor, as a senator, and I as vice president, that she does have the people's best interests at heart," Mann said.

Berg says he will pledge his support to Harris if she advocates against the war in Gaza.

"If Kamala Harris will change policies and stop funding, arming and abetting these terrible policies, I will support her. If not, I will keep pressuring her to change her policies," Berg said.

Smith says regardless of who receives the Democratic nomination he would like more of a focus on the U.S. economy.

"I think, for the new candidate, whoever is going to be the next president, they need to fix the inflation crisis, because we need to get these prices down because Americans can't afford to go grocery shopping anymore," Smith said. "It used to be you went to the store for $70, you can get three bags of groceries. Now you're lucky if you get one."

Mann says he hopes the Democratic presidential candidate also focuses on reproductive rights.

"We've all seen abortion and reproductive rights is under attack, whether, like I said, abortion, contraception, IVF now," Mann said. "So, making sure that the candidate is strong on that, making sure that they're willing to do the work to push back."

Smith is hopeful that Biden dropping out of the presidential race will create an opportunity for the Democrats to pull in a new stream of voters and get people excited about the November election.

"Politics is about excitement. It's about going to the polls, getting your friends to the polls. And I think a new candidate, a fresh candidate, is going to energize the base. It's going to energize America and we have a great opportunity to take this country back and move the country forward," Smith said.

On the other side of the isle Missouri Republican lawmakers are also sharing their thoughts on Biden's reelection campaign coming to an end.

U.S. Senator for Missouri, Eric Schmitt, called on Biden to resign in a post on "X".

"Joe Biden should resign," the post read. "If he’s not capable of being a candidate after he won the primary he’s not capable of being President."

Josh Hawley, another U.S. Senator for Missouri, seconded Schmitt's statement also calling on Biden to leave the oval office in a post on "X".

"Then RESIGN your office. If you can’t run a mere political campaign, you can’t be President," the post read.

Former President Donald Trump also reacted in a statement on Truth Social.

"Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for president, and is certainly not fit to serve and never was," the post read. "We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. Make America Great Again!..."