Joe Biden during a campaign press conference on August 7, 2019 in Burlington, Iowa. Photo by Tom Brenner/Getty Images

By Lauren Markoe July 21, 2024

President Joe Biden said he was quitting the race for president, and then tweeted a hearty endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president. The announcement followed a chorus of  calls for Biden to be replaced after he appeared frail during a debate against former President Donald Trump last month.

Biden’s decision set in motion a competition for the vice presidential nomination. On many experts’ shortlist are two Jewish governors: Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, a swing state, and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois. Here is how prominent Jews and Jewish groups responded to the news.

On Kamala Harris

The Jewish Democratic Council of America endorsed Harris on Sunday afternoon, saying she has a “strong record of standing with Jewish Americans. Hallie Sofer, the JDCA’s CEO, traveled to Israel with Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, in 2017.

Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia

Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colorado

“Kamala has a vision of hope and a future we can all believe in.”

Other Jewish members of Congress who endorsed Harris on Sunday include: Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee, Rep. Daniel Goldman of New York, Rep. Greg Landsman of Ohio, Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida, Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Rep. Adam Schiff of California, Rep. Bradley Schneider of Illinois, and Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz of Florida.

On Biden and his legacy

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York

Israeli President Isaac Herzog

“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career,” Herzog wrote on X. As the first U.S. president to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples.”

Jewish Federations of North America

“For decades, President Biden has been a true friend of the Jewish community and a steadfast supporter of Israel, describing himself as a “Zionist in my heart” and becoming the first sitting U.S. president to visit Israel during wartime in the aftermath of the horrific October 7th attacks.

As President, he released the first national strategy to combat antisemitism; held a historic White House Summit on combating hate-fueled violence; upgraded the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism to the Ambassador level; and signed into law the largest increase in funding for Nonprofit Security Grant Programs that protect synagogues and Jewish Community Centers.

He also continues to support Holocaust survivors so they can live the rest of their lives with the security and dignity they deserve. He has left his mark on the Jewish community and for that, Jewish Federations of North America are grateful and wish him luck in the final months of his presidency and in his future

Barbra Streisand

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett

“President Biden is a true friend of Israel who stood by us in our most difficult moments. During my tenure as Prime Minister, I witnessed his unwavering support of the State of Israel. Thank you for everything.”

The American Jewish Committee

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont

Jewish Council for Public Affairs

“President Biden has been, and continues to be, an extraordinary president and public servant. From the historic national strategy to counter antisemitism, to his broader leadership to protect democracy and fight hate, we are enormously grateful to him for this unparalleled legacy.”

Josh Stein, North Carolina Democratic gubernatorial nominee

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-New York

Rabbi Jonah Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Nathan Diament, executive director of the Orthodox Union

Jill Stein, Green Party presidential candidate

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich

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