WASHINGTON — Democrats on Sunday cheered President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race, with some quickly saying they support his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee, four months before the November election.

Congressional Democrats praised Biden for his record and for passing the torch to a new generation. Democrats had been pressuring the president for weeks to withdraw from the race after a disastrous June 27 debate that shook their faith that the President could defeat Donald J. Trump in a rematch.

President Joe Biden withdraws from re-election campaign, Harris vows to win nomination

“While it was my intention to run for re-election, I believe it is in the best interests of my party and the country that I step down and focus solely on fulfilling the duties of my president for the remainder of my term,” Biden wrote in a one-page letter posted to X, formerly Twitter.

Shortly after the announcement, Biden endorsed Harris in a separate social media post.

In a statement, Harris said she was honored by Biden’s endorsement and that it is her “intent to earn and win this nomination.”

“We have 107 days until Election Day,” she said. “Together we will fight. And together we will win.”

Clintons support Harris

Former President Bill Clinton and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton called Trump a threat to democracy and cited the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity. In a joint statement, they said, “Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we have to get her elected.”

Former President Barack Obama said in a statement that Biden is “a patriot of the highest order.”

“I also know that Joe has never shied away from a fight,” Obama said. “For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he needs to pass the torch to a new nominee is certainly one of the most difficult things in his life.”

Obama stopped short of endorsing Harris, but said he has “extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process that produces an outstanding nominee.”

Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, chair of the Senate Budget Committee, said in a statement that she supports Harris and believes the vice president can beat Trump.

“She is exactly the woman we need to prosecute Donald Trump, save American democracy, lead the fight to restore abortion rights, and build an economy that puts working people — not billionaires — first,” Murray said. “I will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as our next president.”

If Harris is officially nominated at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which takes place in a month, she would be the first black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to become the presidential nominee of a major party.

Florida Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor said in a statement that she has full confidence in Harris as the next Democratic presidential nominee.

“The stakes are high in this election,” she said. “She is a warrior who stands up for reproductive freedoms, civil rights, lower costs for families and lifting up all Americans.”

Republicans called on Biden to resign, arguing that he had withdrawn from the race and could therefore no longer remain in the White House.

“If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president,” Louisiana House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X.

Montana Rep. Steve Daines, who heads the Republican Party’s campaign arm in the Senate, said in a statement that he is calling on Biden to resign over “concerns for our country’s national security.”

“Being president is the hardest job in the world, and I no longer have confidence in Joe Biden’s ability to effectively carry out his duties as commander in chief,” Daines said.

Trump posted a highly critical statement on his social media site Truth Social.

“The corrupt Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – and never has been!” he wrote.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell did not call on Biden to resign as president, but criticized his policies in a brief written statement.

“For four years, the American people have endured historic inflation at home, chaos at the border, and weak leadership on the world stage,” the Kentucky Republican wrote. “Our country is less prosperous and less safe than it was in January 2021. We cannot afford four more years of failure.”

‘Putting country above ego’

Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, the first Democrat in Congress to call on Biden to resign, said in a statement that the president “puts country before ego in a way that Donald Trump never could.”

He added that while Harris “is clearly the leading candidate, we must be open to all talented individuals who wish to be considered.”

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island said in a statement that he applauded Biden’s decision to end his campaign for a second term.

“Let no one underestimate how difficult this was,” he said.

What You Need to Know About Vice President Kamala Harris, Who Biden Is Endorsing as His Successor

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised the president for his record, but neither endorsed Harris.

“Joe Biden is not only a great president and a great legislative leader, he is also a truly great human being,” Schumer said. “His decision was not easy, of course, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first.”

Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, who earlier this month expressed concerns that Trump could win by an overwhelming margin, thanked Biden in a social media post for resigning because it “gave us the opportunity to defeat Donald Trump and give our children the future they deserve.”

Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said in a statement that Biden “has always put our country first, and by making this decision, he has once again done what he believes is best for the future of our democracy.”

Sen. Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia, said in a statement that he respected Biden’s decision to step down.

“While there must be an orderly process and the decision ultimately rests with the DNC delegates, I believe Vice President Harris has the experience, energy and determination to lead our country,” he said.

Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith said in a statement that she “is proud and excited” to support Harris, “who I believe is the single best person at this time to unite the Democratic Party and lead us to victory.”

“The work is not done yet,” Smith said. “It’s really just beginning.”