Florida Democrats rally around Kamala Harris after Biden ends campaign

The announcement has invigorated Democrats across the state, who are calling on Floridians to support the potential presidential nominee. 

Shortly after President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris “in the best interest of my party and the country,” Democratic lawmakers from across Florida weighed in on his decision.

Chairperson of the Florida Democratic Party Nikki Fried thanked Biden in a post on X and expressed that he would be “remembered as one of the greatest presidents of our lifetimes.” 

Fried also called for the Democratic party to be “more united than ever” in support of Vice President Harris in the effort to defeat former President Donald Trump.

Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost, the first member of Generation Z elected to serve in the United States Congress, released a statement calling Biden “one of the most effective and progressive presidents in our country’s history,” and warned of the real threat of fascism and authoritarianism facing the country.

RELATED: Biden ends campaign, passes torch to Kamala Harris for Democratic nominee for president

“Many vulnerable communities across the country will not survive another Trump Administration,” Frost wrote, as he called for Democrats to rally around Vice President Harris. “It is important for our party to come together around a candidate who can beat him — which is why I am proud to offer my full support and endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Democratic State Rep. Anna Eskamani recognized that Biden’s decision to pass the torch must have been a difficult one to make. 

“This is the right decision, thank you Mr. President,” wrote Eskamani. She also called for unity, and to “stay focused and energized for the future, our country demands it. We must win — and the only way we will win is if we are united throughout what will no doubt be a messy, but necessary, process.”

Former Florida Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who is running to defeat Senator Rick Scott in November, issued a statement thanking Biden for his lifetime of service. 

RELATED: What to know about Kamala Harris

“America has never been stronger. Under his and Vice President Kamala Harris’ leadership, our nation has made unprecedented strides in expanding access to affordable health care, investing in our nation’s crumbling infrastructure, creating millions of jobs to boost our economy and empower the American worker,” wrote Mucarsel-Powell, who urged Democrats to “stand united behind Vice President Kamala Harris and continue to fight for the freedom, democracy, and opportunities that brought so many of us to this incredible nation.”

Florida Senator Shevrin Jones called Biden “the greatest president of our lifetime.” He also called for Democrats to unite in support of Vice President Kamala Harris. 

“She has my full support as the leader needed to meet this moment and defeat Donald Trump,” wrote Jones, as he warned that “the Trump-Vance ticket is dead-set on taking away Americans’ rights, destroying democracy, and doing the bidding of greedy corporations’ price gouging working families.  Together, we can beat this threat and continue moving America forward.

For her part, Florida Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, who leads the House Democratic caucus, also expressed her optimism in Biden’s endorsement of Harris.

“Folks, we have an election to win – let’s do this!” Driskell said in her statement.