Biden Drops Out of Race, Scrambling Campaign for White House
President Withdraws Under Pressure from Fellow Democrats
28 of 2024 Electoral Votes Are Toss-ups; 386 Electoral Votes in Upcoming Trump-Biden Rematch Were Won in 2016 and 2020 by Comfortable Margins
WASHINGTON (CBS News) -- President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, a seismic development that throws the Democratic primary into chaos and sets up a likely rematch between Biden and former President Donald Trump.
Biden's decision comes under pressure from fellow Democrats, who have grown increasingly concerned about his age and his ability to win a second term.
In a statement released on Sunday afternoon, Biden said that he had made the decision "after much reflection and consideration."
"I have concluded that it is the right thing to do for my family, for our country, and for the Democratic Party," Biden said.
Biden's withdrawal leaves the Democratic field wide open, with several candidates already jostling for position.
Among the most likely contenders are Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The Republican field is also taking shape, with Trump the clear frontrunner.
Other potential GOP candidates include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The race for the White House in 2024 is expected to be one of the most closely contested in recent history.
Twenty-eight of the 2024 electoral votes are toss-ups, and 386 electoral votes in the upcoming Trump-Biden rematch were won in 2016 and 2020 by comfortable margins.
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