US President Joe Biden drops out of the presidential race

US President Joe Biden has dropped out of the US presidential race. In a statement released this evening, Biden says even though he had intended to seek re-election, it would be in the best interest of his party and the country if he did not run for the presidency again, and rather focused on the remainder of his term.

He has lauded the past three and half years of his presidency, noting some of the things he believes were the achievements of his administration.

“Today, America has the strongerst economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our nationa, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniorsm and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans,” reads the statement in part.

“We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substance. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world,” continues the statement.

Biden, in the statement, says he will address the nation in more details about his decision later this week.

US President, #JoeBiden, drops out of the #US presidential race. #DonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/0h136Rr1JE

— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) July 21, 2024

Some of the top potential replacements that could replace Biden include Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

Biden has spent the last several months accruing nearly 4,000 Democratic delegates by winning primary elections in US states and territories.

Those delegates would normally vote for him, but the rules do not bind or force them to do so; delegates can vote with their conscience, which means they could throw their vote to someone else.

If Biden “releases” his delegates by stepping aside, there could be a competition among other Democratic candidates to become the nominee. – additional reporting by Reuters