'Served our country with honor and dignity': Vermont's leaders react to Biden dropping out

Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed President Joe Biden after his announcement Sunday that he is dropping his reelection bid.

In a statement posted on X, Balint wrote, with his decision, Biden "put the needs of the nation first," adding the president "has cemented his legacy as a true patriot and a man of deep integrity."

"Now it’s time for all of us to get to work and secure @KamalaHarris in the White House," Balint wrote.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, among the first Vermont politicians to weigh in on the announcement that President Joe Biden has ended his reelection campaign, posted on X that Biden "has served our country with honor and dignity."

Sen Peter Welch, D-Vt., said in a post on X, "Joe Biden will be remembered as one of the greatest presidents of our time."

"I know Vermonters are indebted to Biden for his lifetime of public service and to strengthening our democracy,” Welch wrote.

Biden's announcement came after weeks of turmoil for the Biden-Harris campaign. Many within his party began to call on him to withdraw after the president's poor performance at the June debate against former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for the president.

The president is 81 years old and has held elected office for 50 years, including on a Delaware county council, U.S. senator, and vice president.

Even while calling for Biden to drop out in an op-ed that ran in the Washington Post on July 10, Welch spoke highly of Biden and described him as "one of the best presidents of our time," but added that Americans "cannot ignore or dismiss the valid questions raised since that night."

Here are the reactions of the Vermont congressional delegation and Gov. Phil Scott.

What did Senator Bernie Sanders say

Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats and ran for their party's nomination in the past two election cycles, praised Biden in an op-ed published in the New York Times. Sanders called Biden "the most effective president in the modern history." Sanders wrote Biden "is the strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump — a demagogue and pathological liar." 

Sanders acknowledged he and Biden disagree on many issues, but added, "Supporters of Mr. Biden can speak proudly about a good and decent Democratic president with a record of real accomplishment.

What Rep. Becca Balint said

In a statement posted on X, Balint said, "President Biden has dedicated his life to public service for his country, leading with courage and grace."

"President Biden understands the White House must continue to be occupied by someone who believes in democracy, the constitution, and protecting civil rights." the statement continues.

In endorsing Harris, Balint wrote, "Through her leadership, we will be able to build on the President's legacy and get the job done."

What Peter Welch has said

Welch said in a statement released on X Biden made a "difficult and selfless choice."

"Joe Biden defeated Trump, and restored our democracy," Welch wrote. "“Now we have an existential task at hand: defending the White House from Donald Trump —  a felon, a twice-impeached liar, and a man who tried to overturn the results of the last election. There is much at stake."

“I express deep gratitude to President Biden for making his difficult decision," Welch wrote. "As he has done throughout his long career, this decision was made for the benefit of the country."

Peter Welch, one of Vermont's two senators, was among the first to call for President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race.

What the Vermont Democratic Party said

“Joe Biden has been a dedicated public servant for as long as my parents have been able to vote, and he has been the most consequential President of my lifetime. As President, Biden brought decency and competence back to the White House, putting working families first as he brought inflation under control, invested in American infrastructure and supported Vermont’s flood recoveries," reads the statement Vermont Democratic Pary Chair David Glidden issued on Sunday.

"He made transformative investments in climate change that will pay off for generations after his presidency. He is the single greatest president for organized labor this country has ever seen. He led our country through difficult times with dignity and honor, and the Vermont Democratic Party will be forever grateful.

"On behalf of all Vermont Democrats, I want to thank President Biden for his service, his sacrifice, and his judgment. We look forward to continuing his work to protect democracy for regular Americans. While his decision could not have been an easy one, President Biden has always been someone who put his country first."

What the Vermont Republican Party said

On July 12, the Vermont Republican Party issued a statement titled, "VTGOP Joins Senator Welch in Calling for Biden to Drop Out of Presidential Race."

"I am surprised to agree with Senator Peter Welch on this, but many Republicans also believe that ‘for the good of the country’ President Biden should withdraw from the race for President," state party Chairman Paul Dame wrote. "It is rare to have this kind of bipartisan support on such a significant and urgent issue, but when Senator Welch is right he ought to be recognized."

The statement went on to read, "Democrats kept on pretending that that the flaws in their candidates could be ignored out of existence the same way that the flaws in their economic policies could be wished away.”

Where Sanders, Welch, Balint and others stood before the announcement

Welch less than two weeks ago had called on Biden to drop his reelection bid. as did former Vermont Gov. Madeleine. Kunin. Sanders and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean had urged Biden to stay in the race. Balint did not explicitly take a position on Biden's candidacy, but told Seven Days the president is "an honest, decent President with a proven track record of fighting for working families."