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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, 5:25 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 0 minutes ago

Celebrities react to Biden dropping out of race

Celebrities from across the entertainment spectrum, including Cher and Jon Stewart are weighing in on President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the 2024 race for president applauding Biden's decision.

Talk show host and comedian Stewart reacted to the news with a one-word post on X shortly after President Biden’s announcement.

"Legend," wrote Stewart, seemingly reacting to Biden’s decision to leave the race, as well as his decades of public service.

Cher also commented on Biden's decision.

"Hadn’t Seen TV/Talked 2 Anyone,So Didn’t Know It Had Happened,” wrote Cher, who had urged Biden to “pass the baton“ on X moments earlier. “I Believe Its Only Chance 4:us: 2 Remain DEMOCRACY. DEM PARTY MUST ‘REALLY,’ ‘REALLY’ THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. ‘WINNING IS ALL’,DONT WIN CANT CHANGE ANYTHING & THE TIMES THEY MUST BE A CHANGIN,” she wrote.

9 hours and 14 minutes ago

Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell says it's a 'sad day' after Biden's exit

One of President Biden's closest allies, Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell, mourned the end of Biden's presidential campaign while endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday.

President Joe Biden walks out to the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Sept. 27, 2022.
Susan Walsh/AP

"I did endorse Kamala this afternoon because I believe Joe Biden has been a great President," Dingell said during an interview on MSNBC.

"I think it is a sad day and the way much of this has played out with the knives that have been put in his back," she said of Biden.

"If he is supporting Kamala Harris, that means that he thinks that she can do a good job and that is who I am supporting," Dingell continued, adding, "This party needs to unify."

9 hours and 18 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 26 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

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