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Election 2024 updates: Campaign renamed to 'Harris for President'

President Joe Biden was under heavy pressure from fellow Democrats.

Last Updated: July 21, 2024, 5:07 PM EDT

President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday came after heavy pressure from congressional Democrats, including Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and more than 30 House lawmakers.

Biden, 81, had resisted calls to step aside that grew almost daily following his poor performance in his June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump and persistent questions about his age and mental fitness. His decision comes just a few months before the Nov. 5 election.

Biden backed his vice president, Kamala Harris for the top of the ticket -- triggering many others in the party to issue statements backing Harris.

Watch the ABC News special, "Biden Stands Down: The Race for the White House," tonight from 7-9 p.m. ET on ABC and ABC News Live.

9 hours and 19 minutes ago

Shock, heartbreak and relief among White House staffers

Upon learning President Joe Biden would end his race for a second term, White House staff members told ABC News how they’re feeling about the historic decision.

Staffers said emotions have been running high, and that -- blindsided by the announcement -- some had cried. One said he had been on his bike and nearly fell off when he heard the news.

Some said they felt shocked or heartbroken, but many expressed their relief.

"He made the right choice; acted in the best interest of the country,” one White House staff member said.

Others said they felt immense pride. "I will always be proud that I worked for him, and I think history will show him to be one of the greats,” one staffer said.

"Any Democratic president in the past 50-70 years would kill for some of the big wins Joe Biden has [gotten] across the finish line,” another said. “He is a good man and fierce defender of democracy."

-ABC News' MaryAlice Parks

9 hours and 27 minutes ago

Biden for President campaign files to change to Harris for President

The Biden for President campaign committee has just been changed to the Harris for President campaign committee, according to a new FEC filing.

Now Kamala Harris' principal campaign committee, this campaign committee had nearly $96 million in cash on hand -- and likely more scheduled to be transferred from its joint fundraising committees with the DNC.

-ABC News' Soorin Kim

9 hours and 30 minutes ago

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says Biden should be 'commended' for exit from race

Larry Hogan, the former Maryland governor who is running for U.S. Senate, released a statement on X Sunday after President Biden ended his bid for reelection.

Former Maryland governor and and Republican Senate candidate Larry Hogan speaks during a campaign event at the VFW Post 9619 in Morningside, MD, July 16, 2024.
Nathan Howard/Getty Images

"I believe he made the right decision for his family and the country," Hogan, a Republican, said of Biden, adding, "These are dangerous and unprecedented times. He should be commended for putting the country ahead of personal ambition."

"The only way out of this cycle of chaos, divisiveness and dysfunction is to elect principled, common sense and experienced leaders who will focus on the day-to-day challenges facing Americans," Hogan continued.

"We need less palace intrigue, less partisan nonsense, and more decisive action to solve the serious problems facing our nation," Hogan said.

9 hours and 34 minutes ago

Trump donated $6,000 to Kamala Harris’s 2014 AG campaign

Then-businessman Donald Trump donated $6,000 to Kamala Harris' 2014 California Attorney General reelection campaign, state campaign finance records show.

Trump initially donated $5,000 to Harris’s campaign in 2011, and donated another $1,000 to her campaign in 2013.

Ivanka Trump also donated $2,000 to Harris’s campaign in 2013.

-ABC News' Soorin Kim, Lalee Ibssa and Kelsey Walsh

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