Michigan Democrats unite behind Kamala Harris to take down Trump

Congressional leaders from Michigan are standing behind Vice President Kamala Harris after President Joe Biden dropped his re-election bid against Donald Trump. 

MICHIGAN—Elected officials from across Michigan are throwing their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris as she seeks to become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee after President Joe Biden on Sunday ended his bid for a second term in the White House.

Biden quickly endorsed Harris to replace him atop the ticket and elected officials from Michigan didn’t waste time in joining a long list of Congressional leaders who are also now standing behind Harris’ bid for president.

“In Vice President Harris, Michigan voters have a presidential candidate they can count on to focus on lowering their costs, restoring their freedoms, bringing jobs and supply chains back home from overseas, and building an economy that works for working people,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement.

Despite what has largely been seen as a productive presidency, Biden, 81, has faced questions about his age—which have only grown louder in the wake of his poor performance in a debate last month against Trump. Biden ultimately decided to step aside and endorse Harris because he believes she offers the best possible chance of defeating Trump in November.

“Vice President Harris is an extraordinary leader. She has the knowledge, experience and commitment to be an outstanding President for Michigan and the country. Importantly, she is committed to protecting our reproductive freedoms and our Democracy,” US Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) said in a statement posted to social media on Sunday afternoon. “She has helped move our country forward; expanding manufacturing, bringing jobs home, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs, to name just a few accomplishments. I endorse Kamala Harris for President of the United States. She’s tough. She’s smart. And she’s ready.”

US Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) also said that Harris will be “a wonderful president.”

“I saw Kamala Harris fight for the American people every single day when we served together in the Senate,” Peters said in a social media post. “She’s an exemplary leader, knows what it takes to deliver when it matters most, and has my full support.”

Within less than one day of Biden’s announcement, US Reps. Dan Kildee, Debbie Dingell, Hillary Scholten, Elissa Slotkin, Haley Stevens, and Shri Thanedar also voiced support for Harris’ newborn presidential campaign.

“There’s so much at stake this November—so it’s imperative that we be focused and united,” Slotkin said in a statement. “Over the last four years, Vice President Harris has taken on Big Pharma, helped usher in a manufacturing renaissance in Michigan, and fought to protect our rights and our democracy.”

Kildee said Harris, who is nearly 20 years younger than Trump, “represents a new generation of leadership for our country” and “has what it takes” to win.

“Democrats must immediately come together around Kamala Harris to defeat Donald Trump,” US Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Michigan) posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday. “Kamala Harris has already been elected and earned the trust of the American people, and she has served honorably as vice president. She is uniquely qualified to serve as president of the United States.”

Dingell also billed Harris as “an incredible leader who will unite our country.”

“She has my full support. Now let’s get to work,” Dingell said in a statement.

Other elected officials from Michigan—including Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist; Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel; Democratic state Reps. Rachel Hood; Betsy Coffia; Jasper Martus; Jason Morgan; Phil Skaggs and Democratic state Sens. Winnie Brinks; Darrin Camilleri, Stephanie Chang, Sam Singh, and Mallory McMorrow—also issued statements in support of Harris’ presidential campaign this week. 

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and House Speaker Joe Tate—also voiced support for Biden’s decision to pass the torch to a newer, younger generation of leadership. 

“It is up to all of us—we, the people—to harness our power, rise above the noise, and work together to ensure the promise of democracy survives and thrives.  Onward,” Benson said in a statement on Sunday afternoon.

Harris is the first woman, Black person, or person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president. If she becomes the Democratic nominee at the Democratic National Convention next month and defeats Trump in November, she would be the first woman to serve as president.

In a statement, Harris described Biden’s decision to step aside as a “selfless and patriotic act,” saying he was “putting the American people and our country above everything else.”

READ MORE: Kamala Harris has a lot to run on. Here’s what to watch for.

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Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 10 a.m. on July 23 to include additional comments from elected leaders.