Some of the Democrats floated as a possible replacement to President Joe Biden on the ticket quickly thanked him for service after his withdrawal — but they did not hint at their ambitions or endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to take his spot.
Biden endorsed Harris less than an hour after his announcement and she said later she intended “to earn and win this nomination.” And some Democrats who have been discussed as a contender are backing the current vice president.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore will endorse Harris on Monday, a source with knowledge of the situation told NOTUS.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, whose initial statement focused only on Biden, threw his weight behind Harris later Sunday.
Many Democrats have been indirect about their wishes for what will happen next.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who previously said he was “all in, no daylight” with Biden, thanked the president for his service on Sunday without hinting at his plans or an endorsement.
“President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans,” Newsom wrote. “He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who said earlier this month that she wouldn’t run for president even if Biden stepped aside, did not mention Harris either.
“President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump,” Whitmer wrote on X. “My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker took a similar tack and said Biden “has dedicated his life in service to this nation, and its citizens are the better for it.”
Though he issued no endorsement for Harris, he added, “As we extend our gratitude to President Biden and reflect on his many accomplishments, we must not ignore the threat posed by Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House … I will work every day to ensure he does not win in November.”
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg posted that “Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history. I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country.”
One name floated as a candidate did mention Harris — although he, notably, has also been discussed as a potential vice presidential candidate. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear wrote that Harris worked alongside Biden and “led us through the aftermath of the January 6th attack and steadily steered us out of a global pandemic.” He did not issue an endorsement for her.
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Nuha Dolby is a NOTUS reporter and an Allbritton Journalism Institute fellow.