In a historic and unexpected move, President Joe Biden on Sunday announced his withdrawal from the upcoming 2024 presidential race, throwing his full support behind Vice President Kamala Harris — a decision that has sent ripples through the political landscape, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, where local leaders have voiced their strong backing for this new direction.
Sunday night, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, an ally of Biden, released a heartfelt statement reflecting on his tenure and expressing support for Harris.
“I am one of the staunchest supporters of Joe Biden. In tough times, we knew Joe had our backs, and we had his. We love and honor our president and extend our heartfelt gratitude for his leadership. We’ve been ‘ridin’ with Biden,’ even when the road got rough,” Plaskett stated.
Plaskett, who was among the first members of Congress to endorse Harris during her initial 2020 campaign, reaffirmed her commitment to Harris’s candidacy, underscoring the historic significance of her potential presidency.
“I am now committed to ensuring that Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsed by President Biden, becomes our next nominee, and the first Black woman to be president of the United States of America. I have supported the Democratic ticket and have been incredibly honored to work with President Biden as one of the most consequential presidents of our time. Now, I stand ready to roll up my sleeves and ensure that Kamala Harris is elected in November. I am 100 percent ‘Team Harris,’” the delegate said.
Likewise, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. issued a statement late Sunday night, lauding Biden and backing Harris.
The Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands also moved quickly in response to Biden’s announcement, convening an emergency meeting of the territorial committee on Sunday evening, where members agreed to support Harris’s potential run for the presidency.
“It’s one Democratic Party, and the goal is to get democrats elected,” Stedmann Hodge Jr., state chair of the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands, emphasized. He lauded Biden’s accomplishments, citing significant advancements in infrastructure, energy, and local initiatives that have greatly benefited the territory.
Praising Biden’s selection of Harris as his vice-presidential candidate, Hodge said that having seen Harris speak at previous conventions, Biden would not have picked her if she were not qualified.
“She drives a different narrative. We need to look beyond race or gender and look at her qualifications,” he said.
As the Virgin Islands Democratic Party aligns itself with the national agenda, a follow-up meeting is scheduled for Monday evening to solidify their strategy once a national party announcement is made.
