'Certainly It Has Been A Wild 24 Hours:' State Democrats React To Biden's Decision To Drop Out Of Presidential Race

Oklahoma Democrats are reacting to President Joe Biden’s decision to step out of the presidential race, and many are rallying behind Vice President Kamala Harris. 

“Certainly it has been a wild 24 hours,” said Kendra Horn, former U.S. Congresswoman.

“My very first reaction to hearing that Joe Biden had pulled out of the 2024 presidential election was pure shock,” said Rep. Cyndi Munson, (D-85th District) House Minority Leader.

The decision from President Biden has left democrats across the nation and here in the state with a lot of questions and decisions.

“There's a lot of mixed feelings, of course, we would expect that. Joe Biden has been a public servant his entire career and I think that's what he's known for,” said Horn. “So there's a lot of unknowns right now and things are moving fast.”

Former Congresswoman Kendra Horn says the democratic party has a lot of work ahead of them, recognizing the timing of the decision is not great.

“The bottom line is, we would have been much better off if we had these conversations a year and a half ago if this were happening before the primary but we're here now,” said Horn.

Vice President Kamala Harris is presumably the candidate that is next in line, already garnering the support of many in her party.

“We've seen a lot of energy on the national level, you know, backing Kamala Harris and also, just uniting as a party,” said Rep. Munson.

House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson is headed to the democratic national convention next month, where the focus will be on the next democratic nominee. She says now more than ever, it’s important for Oklahomans to be aware of the candidates up for election.

“I think Kamala Harris is a great candidate to be president of the United States. I think, you know, outside of just who she is as a person and the energy she's already brought to democrats overnight,” said Rep. Munson.

Harris raised at least $81 million for her campaign in the first 24 hours since Biden announced he will not be running. Harris will have that, in addition to more than $250 million in campaign funds already raised.

“I think this change has infused some energy,” said Horn.

Though she is garnering support, both Horn and Munson say Harris will have to fight hard over the next 106 days.

“It will be an exciting time as we go into November,” said Rep. Munson.

Munson will be traveling to Chicago for her first appearance at the Democratic National Convention on August 19-22. During that time, the party will choose their official nominees for president and vice president.