Indiana politicians react to President Joe Biden’s withdrawal

Indiana politicians were quick to react after President Joe Biden announced Sunday afternoon that he would not seek re-election, bowing to mounting pressure from senior Democrats who have been in power for weeks.

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, Indiana’s GOP candidate for U.S. Senate, posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Biden should immediately resign if he is unable to run for a second term. If he doesn’t, he should be impeached under the 25th Amendment, which covers what happens when a president is found unfit to serve.

Congressman Rudy Yakym (R-2) echoed Bank’s statement and also called for Biden’s resignation. He said Vice President Kamala Harris, the most likely new Democratic nominee to receive Biden’s endorsement, “orchestrated a conspiracy to cover up Joe Biden’s cognitive decline.”

On the Democratic side, Ron Klain, an Indiana native and Biden’s former chief of staff, jumped in to support Harris: “Now that donors and elected officials have dismissed the only candidate Trump has ever defeated, it’s time to end the political fantasy games and unite behind the only veteran of a national campaign: our great Vice President Kamala Harris!!”

Democratic Rep. André Carson of Indianapolis said he is proud of the work of the Biden administration and that the party is ready for election season.

Republican Rep. Larry Bucshon, who is not running for re-election in the 8th Congressional District, struck a far less political tone than most in his party, saying Biden made the right decision to step aside and thanking the president for his long years in office.

This story is being updated.