Hawaii Governor Josh Green and Senator Brian Schatz weigh in on Biden’s decision

KAHULUI—Several state officials responded Sunday to the news of President Joe Biden dropping out of his presidential bid, including Hawaii Governor Josh Green, and Senator Brian Schatz.

“President Biden and his family have made this decision, which I said all along was his and theirs to make. I have no doubt that it was a difficult decision and in this, I thank him again for his selfless leadership,” said Governor Green. “On behalf of the state of Hawai‘i, especially the residents of Maui, I express our forever-gratitude to President Biden for granting wildfire disaster relief within an unprecedented six hours of our making the request in a time of our people’s deepest need.”

On Friday, comedian David Letterman announced he was headlining a fundraiser with Governor Green for Joe Biden, in what was said to be a sign of him “forging ahead despite continued calls for the president to bow out of the 2024 race.”

According to the Associated Press, “The fundraiser on July 29 will be at the home of a family friend on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, Green told The Associated Press Friday. It will feature the longtime late-night host, plus Biden and first lady Jill Biden. The campaign has at least 10 other fundraising events over the last 10 days of July.”

Senator Brian Schatz weighed in on Sunday after the news of Biden’s decision came to light.

“For over 50 years, Joe Biden has been a selfless patriot and dedicated public servant who’s given everything to the country he so dearly loves. As a senator, vice president, and now president, he has spent most of his life working to make people’s lives better and the world safer. Today, yet again, he has put the country before himself, making the best choice for the American people in this uniquely consequential moment. For that, and for his lifetime of service, we should all be deeply grateful,” Schatz said.

“It’s not an overstatement to say Joe Biden has been and is the most consequential president of our lifetimes. His legislative accomplishments speak for themselves and will endure for generations to come. He took the biggest climate action in human history. He cut the cost of prescription drugs for seniors and made our communities safer by passing long-overdue gun reform. He’s also revitalized our nation’s infrastructure and strengthened our alliances around the world.

“There’s no question Americans today are better off because of Joe Biden.”