Biden Withdraws from 2024 Election Race

President Biden Steps Aside as Democratic Nominee

Updated: July 21, 2024, 11:25 AM PT

President Joe Biden has announced that he will no longer seek re-election in 2024, shaking up the Democratic presidential race. The announcement comes after months of speculation about Biden's political future and follows a series of recent polls showing him trailing other potential Democratic candidates.

In a statement released by the White House, Biden said that he had come to the decision after "much reflection and consideration." He cited his age and the need to "pass the torch" to a younger generation of leaders as key factors in his decision.

Biden's withdrawal from the race has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party. Many Democrats had been hoping that Biden would run for a second term, believing that he was the best candidate to defeat former President Donald Trump, who is widely expected to seek the Republican nomination.

However, some Democrats had also expressed concern about Biden's age and his ability to handle the rigors of another presidential campaign. Biden will be 82 years old at the time of the 2024 election, making him the oldest person ever to run for president.

Biden's decision to withdraw from the race leaves the Democratic field wide open. Several potential candidates have already expressed interest in running, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.