Vice President Kamala Harris reacts to support from the crowd at a campaign rally Tuesday, July 9, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

In the wake of President Joe Biden’s announcement earlier today that he is dropping out of the 2024 race for president and a separate statement in which Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the Democratic nominee for president, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas’ District 30, and Democratic National Committee Member-elect Jeff Strater have both said they support Harris for president.

Crockett has steadfastly supported Biden despite calls from prominent Democratic leaders in the last three weeks for Biden to withdraw from the race. And a coalition of district delegates to the Democratic National Committee — including Strater — issued a statement last week reiterating their own support for Biden and committing to vote for him at the upcoming Democratic LPAC National Convention,

Today (Sunday, July 21) Crockett issued the following statement, addressed to Congressional District 30 delegates:

“While today’s news isn’t what any of us expected, it’s important that we remain focused! While President Biden has formally announced that he won’t seek re-election, he’s also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States.

“Let me be clear — there’s only one person that can beat Trump in November and that’s Vice President Kamala Harris! She’s more than qualified and has faithfully served alongside President Biden in delivering for the American people for the past 3 ½ years. This isn’t the time to lose sight of the assignment at hand, which is ensuring that this country doesn’t see a second Trump presidency.

“I’m proud to be supporting Vice President Harris and I know that with your support, she will officially become our nominee next month in Chicago.”

Strater told Dallas Voice today that he supports Harris, adding, “Today marks the end of an era for our country, the Democratic Party and the LGBTQ community. President Biden’s leadership has guided us through unprecedented challenges, from revitalizing our economy to championing equality and justice for all Americans. His dedication to public service is unmatched

“Now, as we look ahead, I fully support Vice President Kamala Harris for president,” Strater added. “It’s time for us to rally together and continue the progress we’ve made under Biden’s administration.”

Dallas County Democratic Party Chair Kardal Coleman issued a statement today saying, “The Dallas County Democratic Party is deeply grateful for President Biden’s public service over the past five decades. History books will remember his presidency as one marked by progress, hope and humility. The Biden-Harris administration has truly delivered for Texans, dedicating $12 billion to improve our roads and bridges, making unprecedented inroads in increasing gun safety and growing our economy from the bottom up and the middle out. Now, in another act of servitude to his country, President Biden is passing the torch to blaze a new and brighter future for all Americans.”

Other LGBTQ community leaders are also issuing statements in response to Biden’s announcement and his endorsement of Harris. Kierra Johnson, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, said, “We are grateful for President Biden’s decades of service and allyship to LGBTQ communities and for everything his administration has done to move our community forward.  At this critical moment for our democracy and our freedoms, we have both hope and excitement for Vice President Kamala Harris and what she can do for our country. We fully expect a continued commitment to always putting our communities first. We now recommit to moving forward in the democratic process, the upcoming convention and the November elections.”

Johnson continued, “The Task Force action fund calls on LGBTQ people and our allies to take action and engage in the political process. Only through a show of voting power in the Nov. 5 election will we begin building the democracy we deserve.”

The national LGBTQ political organization known as LPAC and its board of directors, has issued a statement saying the organization “extends its heartfelt thanks”to  Biden for his “unwavering support of the LGBTQ community throughout his time in office. President Biden has been a steadfast ally and advocate for LGBTQ rights, particularly for those who are most marginalized within our community.”

The LPAC statement lauded Biden for having “consistently shown his commitment to advancing equality and justice for all LGBTQ individuals” and for having worked “to protect the rights of LGBTQ individuals, including implementing policies that promote equality, inclusion and acceptance.”

LPAC’s interim executive director, Janelle Perez, said, “LPAC is grateful for President Biden’s leadership and the positive impact he has had on the LGBTQ community. We thank him for his service and dedication to advancing equality and justice for all, and we look forward to continuing to work with his administration to ensure that the rights of LGBTQ individuals are protected and upheld.”

LPAC also pledged to support Harris, saying, “President Biden’s decision to step aside and not seek reelection represents the same selflessness that has guided a highly successful and pivotal tenure leading our nation. As he has endorsed his partner in these accomplishments, Vice President Kamala Harris, so we endorse her, too. She will win, she will defeat Trump and his Project 2025 agenda, and we will have her back on Election Day.”

— Tammye Nash