Biden thanks VP Harris for being ‘extraordinary partner,’ but doesn’t endorse her as replacement

In a letter announcing his decision to end his bid for reelection in November, US President Joe Biden thanks Vice President Kamala Harris “for being an extraordinary partner” throughout his three-and-a-half years as president, but does not name her directly in relation to his decision to drop out of the race.

By stepping aside, Biden clears the way for Harris to run at the top of the ticket, the first Black woman to do so in the country’s history.

It is unclear, however, whether other senior Democrats will challenge Harris for the party’s nomination, who was widely seen as the pick for many party officials — or whether the party itself would choose to open the field for nominations.

Biden’s announcement follows a wave of public and private pressure from Democratic lawmakers and party officials to quit the race after his shockingly poor performance in a televised debate last month against Republican rival Donald Trump.