Arizonans react after President Biden drops 2024 reelection bid

President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he is ending his run for a second term in office.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs

Shortly after, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs released a statement, saying in part that “President Biden is the embodiment of a public servant. Throughout his career, he has led with integrity, selflessness, and unparalleled empathy. His decision today is a clear reflection of these qualities and his commitment to putting the American people first.”

Hobbs added that Biden has delivered for the U.S. and Arizona and while the timing of his announcement is unprecedented, she says she is confident that the country's democracy will be strengthened because of it.

Arizona Republican Party Chair Gina Swoboda

Arizona Republican Party Chair Gina Swoboda says she thinks Biden’s decision not to run for reelection doesn’t help or hurt the Democrats at this point.

Biden announced Sunday that he will back out of his reelection bid. He’s endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Swoboda says the decision is coming far too late in the campaign.

"I don't believe it matters who is at the top of the democratic party ticket. I believe people will vote for Donald J. Trump," Swoboda

Swoboda questioned why Biden is not resigning as president if he isn’t competent to run. Or, if he is competent, then she says it’s unfair to Democrat voters to not get any options.

"And if he’s just like well I’ve decided just not to be the nominee but I’m still going to stay here and it has nothing to do with my competency level again have you not been betrayed?"

Arizona’s primary election is July 30. An untold number of early ballots have already been submitted.

Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton, a Democrat

“Today, as he always has, President Biden put the future of our country first," U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton said.

"He will go down in history as one of the most effective chief executives of the modern era. I will forever be proud of what we have been able to deliver for Arizona."

Stanton and fellow Congressman Raúl Grijalva had called on Biden to step aside in recent weeks.

Arizona Congressman Raúl Grijalva, a Democrat

Joe Biden will be remembered as one of the most consequential presidents in our history. His legacy will forever be one that helped save the U.S. from fascism, led out nation out of the pandemic, crafted an economic recovery plan and prioritized working families, and led the charge to ensure our country would be the leader of the world in the transition to a clean energy economy.

Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma (R-Peoria)

A historic moment in several ways. The Democrat machine and their allies in the media push out their standard bearer. Biden in turn endorses a much more radical progressive at a time when Americans are rejecting such policies. All against the backdrop of a united Republican/conservative coalition whose aims include a secure border, less governments interference, and a stronger national defense.

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen (R-Gilbert)

Yeah, I think Trump is going to win because the two biggest issues, which are the border and inflation, were nonexistent when Trump was the president before. I think the voters that are going to decide this election and make the difference are going to pick Trump because of inflation and the border issues.

I know they have consistently been the biggest issues in Arizona. I imagine they are also the biggest issues nationwide. I’m sure inflation has to be one of the biggest issues nationwide and the border affects everybody. You’re seeing a city every month crossing into the country, and that has an impact on the country.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly

Democrat Gabrielle Giffords, former member of Congress

I will be forever grateful for his personal friendship to me as I was recovering. He was by my side when I returned to cast my first vote following the shooting, and I was proud to stand by his side throughout his presidency, where he did more to fight gun violence than any president in history.

Navajo President Buu Nygren

Arizona Democratic Party

Democratic Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego

President Biden has achieved so much, made so many lives better — especially here in Arizona — and will go down in the history book as one of our most effective presidents of our lifetimes.

Democratic Tucson Mayor Regina Romero

I am excited to support Kamala Harris to be the next Democratic president of the United States. She is ready to step up and lead. I'm ready to jump in and do all I can to help elect Kamala Harris to the White House.

Arizona Congressman Juan Cisciomani, a Republican

Make no mistake: In Congressional District 6, Joe Biden and his policies are on the ballot in the form of Engel For Arizona (his Democratic foe). From your border to your pocketbooks, we can't let Biden-Engel win.

Democratic congressional candidate Kirsten Engel

President Biden has been an incredible leader with an undeniable record of bringing down costs for Americans, protecting our environment, and defending our democracy. I look forward to working with our party's presidential candidate to defeat Donald Trump's extremism.

Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar, a Republican

By rigging their own election and forcing Joe Biden to quit, billionaire Democrat donors, Hollywood leftists and Democrat party elitists just gave the middle finger to the 14 million Democrats who selected Biden to be their nominee. The Democrat coup is complete.

Congressman Andy Biggs, a Republican

Joe Biden is too weak and feeble to be prosecuted. He is too week and feeble to campaign. How is he strong enough to continue services as commander in chief of the strongest nation in the world? Joe Biden ought to step down.

Arizona Congressman Eli Crane, a Republican

Nothing has changed about our choice in November. Do you want the border crisis to continue, the inflation to get worse, and the wars to continue? That's what Kamala Harris wants for America. She's a radical progressive from California. Leave Arizona alone.

Arizona Congresswoman Debbie Lesko, a Republican

Kamala Harris was Biden's border czar. She didn't do a darn thing. In fact the open border is ow worse. Now she is supposed to lead our country? I think not.

Democratic Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes

His lifetime of public service — and especially his presidency will have a deep and lasting impact on our country and our planet. Thank you for everything you have done for the American people, Mr. President.

Democratic Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes

Humility and gratitude toward the American people are the takeaway from the president's letter withdrawing from the race. Solid leadership.

Arizona House Democrats

We are beyond grateful for his lifetime of dedicated, selfless and steadfast leadership, and for his record that always prioritized hard-working American families. President Biden is a patriot and a statesman in the truest sense of the words, and he has proven that once again by putting the future of his country ahead of himself.

Maricopa County Republican Committee

Next, after "standing down," Joe Biden endorses unconstitutional candidate for president and commander-in-chief of the United States of America.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake

Joe Biden enablers like Kamala Harris and Ruben Gallego caused this mess by supporting a man in clear mental decline and by voting 100% of the time for his dead-end agenda. Whoever the Democrat elites choose to be their nominee will champion the same destructive policies that brought our country to the dangerous point it finds itself in today.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the names Juan Ciscomani and Kirsten Engel.