U.S. President Joe Biden, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Lynn Siebel Newsom wave to the crowd as they campaign to keep the governor in office at Long Beach City College on the eve of the last day of the special election to recall the governor on September 13, 2021 in Long Beach, California. (David McNew/Getty Images)
Newsom has been speculated as a potential Democratic candidate for president in 2024 for roughly a year, despite his own dismissals of the idea on several occasions. He has been one of Biden's most high-profile surrogates on the campaign trail, continuing to promote Biden even after his poor debate performance last month.
WHAT COMES NEXT FOR DEMOCRATS AFTER BIDEN'S CAMPAIGN SUSPENSION?
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement, "Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader, but he is a truly amazing human being. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first."
"Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American," he added.
FROM DEBATE CATASTROPHE TO STANDING DOWN: BIDEN’S ROAD TO THE EXIT
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the SelectUSA Investment Summit on May 4, 2023, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
"My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families’ costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan," Whitmer wrote.
Biden made the announcement of his campaign suspension in a Sunday afternoon letter, which he posted to X.
"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president," the president wrote. "While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interests of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term."
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., praised him as well, claiming he "always put country first."
"Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort," he said.
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His decision comes just weeks after his debate against former President Trump, during which his performance was widely criticized. In the days following, a total of 37 congressional Democrats and those who caucus with them had pushed Biden to step aside.
Following the announcement, Biden made a second post, endorsing his vice president, Kamala Harris, as the Democratic nominee for president.
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.
Follow Julia's reporting on X at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/proud-our-president-dems-heap-praise-biden-decision-end-2024-campaign