TAMPA, Fla. — Florida politicians are weighing in after President Joe Biden announced he is ending his 2024 reelection bid.
Biden posted a letter on X Sunday afternoon announcing he dropped out, which comes after pressure from Democrats to step aside following the June 27 debate.
Here's what local and state politicians in Florida are saying about the news:
State Politicians
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott
"Let me be clear, if Joe Biden can’t run for re-election, he is not capable of serving as president for the next six months and needs to resign today," the Republican said in a statement.
He continued on to say that Biden's allies knew he wasn't fit to be president and "lied to the American people in an effort to hold onto their power." Scott said it was clear that the president wasn't competent and in the rest of his statement he talked about issues with inflation, foreign policy and the border.
Gov. Ron DeSantis
In an X post, the Florida governor called out Vice President Kamala Harris, saying she "was complicit in a massive coverup to hide and deny the fact that Joe Biden was not capable of discharging the duties of the office."
"She also was the border czar during the worst border crisis in American history. Democrats are just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic," DeSantis stated.
Local Politicians
Rep. Anna Eskamani
The Democratic state representative for Orlando called Biden's move "the right decision" for both the country and the Democratic party.
"I thank President Joe Biden for making this brave and difficult choice and for his leadership in many policy arenas. As Democrats, our values compel us to fight for the underdog, to defend everyday Americans in the face of injustice, and to champion policies that lift up all people. Let’s stay focused and energized for the future. The only way we will win is if we are united throughout what will no doubt be a messy, but necessary, process. Too many issues and freedoms are on the line for us to get this wrong. Onward to November and onward to victory," she said.
Nikki Fried
The chair of the Florida Democratic Party thanked Biden in an X post and called him "one of the greatest presidents of our lifetimes."
Rep. Brian Mast
The Republican representative for the state's 21st district, which includes portions of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast, posted his thoughts in three simple sentences on X.
"Unfit to stand trial. Unfit to run. Unfit to be president for 1 more second," he said.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor
"President Biden today demonstrated his character and patriotism, putting our country first. He has delivered for Tampa, and I am grateful for his extraordinary public service and leadership," she said in an X post.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch
"Today we learned of President Biden’s decision to decline the democratic nomination for President of the United States— while his decision was difficult, I stand in full support of VP Kamala Harris as the democratic nominee. It’s time to move our nation forward, together," Welch said in an X post.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz
Moskowitz is a Democratic representative in Coral Springs who said he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and hailed Biden as a patriot in an X post.
"He is a patriot! And one of the most successful public servants in American History. His record of service may never be seen again," he posted.
Former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
Mucarsel-Powell was the former Democratic representative for Florida's 26th congressional district, which includes most of Collier County and parts of Miami. Now, she is running against Rick Scott for U.S. Senate.
In a statement on X, she thanked Biden for his service and said the country has never been stronger.
"As he has done for his entire career, President Biden is putting the good of the American people and our democracy first. We must follow his example and stand united behind Vice President Kamala Harris and continue to fight for the freedom, democracy, and opportunities that brought so many of us to this incredible nation," she said in part.
Trump's response
Former President Donald Trump weighed on on his social platform Truth Social and said he was not fit to run for president.
"He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t," he said, in part.
Meanwhile, Trump's running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance, called Biden "the worst President in my lifetime" and offered critiques of Vice President Kamala Harris in an X post.
"Over the last four years she co-signed Biden's open border and green scam policies that drove up the cost of housing and groceries," Vance stated. "She owns all of these failures, and she lied for nearly four years about Biden's mental capacity--saddling the nation with a president who can't do the job."
Statement from VP Kamala Harris
In a statement, Vice President Kamala Harris thanked Biden "for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. "
“With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else," Harris stated.