North Carolina Democrats rally behind Kamala Harris, praise Biden’s decision to step aside

Several NC Democrats endorsed Kamala Harris on Sunday, including all 168 of the state’s party delegates, Anderson Clayton, the chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, said. 

[UPDATE: This post has been updated to add more responses from Democrats]

Congressman Wiley Nickel was at his son’s soccer practice on Sunday when his phone blew up just like yours did. President Biden was ending his re-election bid.

“I saw the tweet from President Biden a minute or two after he posted it,” Nickel, who represents Wake County, said in an interview. 

“It got texted over to me and so I was as surprised as anyone else.”

What followed that surprise, he said, was resolve and admiration for Biden’s decision.

Biden, who had faced weeks of criticism and rising alarm from some Democrats after a weak debate performance, had put the country before himself, Nickel said. 

“I think we got to take a step back and talk about President Biden’s five decades of serving the American people as a senator, as a vice president, and as a truly amazing president. He beat Trump in 2020 and he made the decision that was about doing the most to make sure we can beat Donald Trump again in 2024,” Nickel said.

Now that the question about his age is off the table, the focus can return to the actual policies at stake in this election. And that, Nickel said, is great news for Democrats, reproductive rights, and Democracy. 

“Now we’re not going to be talking about President Biden’s age, we’re going to be talking about the issues,” he said. “And when we talk about the issues, Democrats do much better.”

He added: “Women’s rights, voting rights are going to be front and center in this election. Now the economy is going to be right up there. We get to talk about our plans to help the middle class compared to Republican plans to help massive corporations and the super wealthy.”

An election based on issues, he said, scares Republicans, who have tried to keep the focus on Biden even after his announcement.

“That’s a place where my Republican colleagues are rightly very upset today because they’re going to have to talk about something that they don’t want to talk about: the issues.”

‘I’m proud of our party’

Nickel praised Vice President Kamala Harris, but said it was too early to put his full support behind her, deferring to the nomination process, which will formally take place at the Democratic National Convention next month in Chicago.

“[Harris] said it herself – she wants to earn this nomination. So I want to see what that looks like. And the good news though is we’re going to have a Democratic party united around beating Donald Trump. That’s the goal here. That’s what President Biden’s decision was all about, and I’m really excited about the new focus that we’re going to have on this campaign.”

Other North Carolina Democrats fully endorsed Harris in their responses in statements or on social media and Anderson Clayton, the chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, said on X, formerly known as Twitter, Sunday evening that all 168 delegates of the North Carolina Democratic Party voted to endorse Harris.

“I’m proud of our party,” she said.

Some lawmakers, however, stopped short of an endorsement, but praised her record, while  others did not mention her at all. 

Here is a quick roundup of some of the responses from the state’s top Democrats.

Gov. Roy Cooper

“President Biden has cemented his place among our nation’s finest Presidents,” Cooper wrote on Twitter. “When our democracy faced danger, President Biden stood strong as the rarest type of leader who could help us forge ahead with a vision to repair our country’s soul.”

In a later tweet, Cooper, who has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate in a Harris campaign, put all his weight behind her nomination.

“Kamala Harris should be the next President,” he wrote. “I’ve known @VP going back to our days as AGs, and she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country thoughtfully and with integrity. I look forward to campaigning for her as we work to win NC up and down the ticket.”

Attorney General Josh Stein

“President Biden has put the American people first throughout his historic career — as senator, vice president, and president,” Stein wrote on X.

“His vast record of accomplishments include the Violence Against Women Act, historic expansion of health care access, record-breaking job growth across the country and in North Carolina, bipartisan infrastructure investments that will strengthen our economy for years to come, and the most consequential clean energy legislation in history,” Stein continued.

“President Biden is a true patriot.  His decision today exemplifies his commitment to always putting the country before himself. I thank him for his remarkable service to our nation.”

On Monday, Stein endorsed Harris on X.

“Vice President @KamalaHarrisis prepared and ready for the job on day one. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated her integrity, commitment to the rule of law, and dedication to fighting for people. She represents a new generation of leadership, and I’m looking forward to fighting and winning together in North Carolina,” Stein wrote.

US Rep (and current candidate for state attorney general) Jeff Jackson

“There are very few moments in history like this. Relinquishing power before one must, doing so gracefully and solely out of concern for the country, is an act so profoundly rare that it deepens the honor of the presidency, not just the president,” Jackson wrote on X.

“President Biden has earned his place among national leaders who showed true selflessness on behalf of our country, and he deserves our genuine gratitude. Now, unity and victory.”

In a later tweet, Jackson endorsed Harris, too.

“Vice President Harris is the former prosecutor we need to make the case to our country about the stark choice we face in this election. I’m proud to support her to be our nominee, and I look forward to campaigning with her in North Carolina.”

US Rep. Alma Adams, Mecklenburg County

“The Biden-Harris Administration has been one of the most successful, most accomplished presidential administrations and President Biden (@POTUS) has served our citizens well,” Adams wrote on X.

“I am thankful for his leadership and support his final decision. It is imperative that we keep this good governance going.”

US Rep. Deborah Ross, Wake County

“Joe Biden is the most consequential president of the past 50 years. He brought our country back from a devastating pandemic, lifted our economy from the depths of a crushing recession, and ushered in a new era of progress that will benefit the American people for generations to come,” Ross wrote in a press release. 

“Above all, President Biden is a dedicated, selfless public servant who has always put the needs of the American people first. Today, he continued to do just that and solidified his legacy of leadership and service,” she continued. 

“The path forward is clear– we must unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris to defeat Donald Trump. Together, we can win in November and build on the historic progress forged by President Biden.”

US Rep. Don Davis, who represents nearly 20 counties

“I wholeheartedly support President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race,” Davis wrote on X. “My sincere prayers are with him and his family as I continue to focus on fighting for eastern North Carolina.

US Rep. Valerie Foushee, Durham

“President Biden is one of the most effective and impactful Presidents in our nation’s history. He has helped our country recover from a pandemic, delivered unprecedented job growth, advanced legislation to combat the climate crisis, and expanded health care access for millions,” Foushee wrote on X. 

“The President and the Biden-Harris administration have consistently prioritized local communities in North Carolina through investments to support small businesses, expand transit, ensure clean water access, rebuild infrastructure, and more. President Biden is putting people over politics with his decision, and I look forward to fighting for democracy and freedom alongside the President as he finishes his term.”

US. Rep. Kathy Manning, Greensboro and most of Winston Salem

“Under President Biden, Democrats have passed historic legislation to rescue the economy, rebuild our aging infrastructure, revitalize domestic manufacturing, lower health care costs, combat climate change, expand our alliances around the globe, and more,” Manning wrote on X.

“President Biden is a true patriot who has made a difficult decision for the good of the country. His legacy is secure, and we Democrats must keep fighting to protect all the progress we’ve made.”

NC Rep. Robert Reives, the House minority leader

“​​Joe Biden has spent a lifetime in service to the American people,” Reives wrote in an email. “His leadership over the past three and a half years has brought us through a pandemic and helped shepherd through some of the most consequential legislation since Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society.

NC Sen. Graig Meyer

“Thank you for your amazing leadership, Mr. President,” Meyer wrote on X. “I am happy to join you in endorsing Kamala Harris to be our next President.”

NC Sen. Michael Garrett

“My young son witnessed President @JoeBiden ascended to the American Presidency demonstrating leadership worthy of the Oval Office,” Garrett wrote on X. 

“Today, I am confident my young daughter will witness VP@KamalaHarris become the first woman President. Incredibly grateful for these two leaders.”