| Today, President Joe Biden announced his candidacy for President of the United States in the 2024 Presidential Election. In a video released today titled “Freedom,” President Biden harkened back to his 2020 campaign message when he described the country in a battle for the soul of the nation. Today the President said that the battle continues in the face of extreme MAGA Republicans who are focused on taking away Americans’ rights and dividing the country. The President called on all Americans to stand up for our personal freedoms, saying every generation faces a moment when we’ve had to defend democracy, and this election is ours.
Today’s announcement from President Biden comes four years to the day after he announced his 2020 candidacy on a platform of restoring the soul of our nation, rebuilding the backbone of the country – the middle class – and uniting the country.
“When I ran for President four years ago, I said we are in a battle for the soul of America – and we still are. The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom, more rights or fewer,” said President Biden. “I know what I want the answer to be. This is not a time to be complacent. That’s why I’m running for reelection. I know America and I know we are good and decent people. I know we are still a country that believes in honesty and respect, and treating each other with dignity. We’re a nation where we give hate no safe harbor. We believe that everyone is equal, and that everyone should be given a fair shot to succeed in this country.”
President Biden continued: “Every generation of Americans has faced a moment when they’ve had to defend democracy, stand up for our personal freedoms, and stand up for our right to vote and our civil rights. This is ours. Let’s finish the job.”
Today, President Biden also announced initial campaign leadership. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt-Rochester, Congressman Jim Clyburn, Senator Chris Coons, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer will serve as the campaign’s national co-chairs.
Julie Chávez Rodríguez will serve as Campaign Manager and Quentin Fulks will serve as Principal Deputy Campaign Manager. This team forms the backbone of a campaign that will be focused on building and expanding on the coalition that sent President Biden and Vice President Harris to the White House in 2020 with more votes than any Presidential ticket in our country’s history.
“This election is a generational moment for Americans across the country to stand up and fight for our democracy and freedoms. To win this fight, we need strong leadership that can build and expand our broad, diverse coalition from 2020,” said President Biden. “With this team leading the charge, we’ll be able to do just that. Julie and Quentin are trusted, effective leaders that know the stakes of this election and will bring their knowledge and energy to managing a campaign that reaches all Americans. Our campaign co-chairs are hardworking public servants that have dedicated their lives to making Americans’ lives better. I’ve been able to count on each and every one of them throughout my career, especially in the most challenging moments. Together, this team brings the expertise, leadership, and work ethic required to win this election and finish the job for the American people.”
“This is a pivotal moment in our history,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “For two years we have made transformational investments to build a nation in which everyone can be safe and healthy, find a good job, and retire with dignity. In response, extremists have intensified attacks on basic, foundational freedoms and rights. For example, they want to take away a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body. They attack the sacred right to vote and attempt to silence the voice of the people. And they try to block common sense reforms to save lives and keep Americans safe from gun violence. The Republicans running for President want to take our country backwards. We will not let that happen. Just like we did in 2020, we must come together to fight for our democracy, continue to make progress, and make sure all Americans can get ahead and thrive. Joe and I look forward to finishing the job, winning this battle for the soul of the nation, and serving the American people for four more years in the White House.”
Additional Background on Campaign Leadership:
Julie Chávez Rodríguez, Campaign Manager
Julie Chávez Rodríguez currently serves as Senior Advisor to the President and White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. In her role, Chávez Rodríguez works directly with governors, mayors, and local officials across the country to mobilize their support on critical Biden-Harris Administration priorities, as well as leading the White House’s coordination on emergency response efforts. Chávez Rodríguez is also the highest ranking Latina in the White House. Chávez Rodríguez is a trusted and longtime Democratic aide, having previously served as Deputy Campaign Manager on the 2020 Biden-Harris Campaign, working in various senior roles for then-Senator Harris and her Presidential campaign, and in several roles in the Obama-Biden Administration. A native of California, Chávez Rodríguez is the granddaughter of labor leader Cesar Chávez, and is a longtime advocate for women, labor, and Latino issues.
Quentin Fulks, Principal Deputy Campaign Manager
Quentin Fulks is a Democratic strategist, most recently serving as Campaign Manager for Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock’s 2022 successful reelection campaign, the first reelection of a Democratic Senator in Georgia in more than three decades. Prior to that, Fulks served as Deputy Campaign Manager and Senior Political Advisor to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, flipping the Governor’s seat from Republican to Democrat in 2018. A Georgia native, Fulks has also served in positions at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, EMILY‘s List and Priorities USA.
Full Transcript of ‘Freedom’ Campaign Launch Video:
“Freedom. Personal freedom is fundamental to who we are as Americans. There’s nothing more important. Nothing more sacred.
That’s been the work of my first term: To fight for our Democracy. This shouldn’t be a red or blue issue. To protect our rights. To make sure that everyone in this country is treated equally. And that everyone is given a fair shot at making it.
But around the country, MAGA extremists are lining up to take those bedrock freedoms away. Cutting social security that you’ve paid for your entire life while cutting taxes for the very wealthy. Dictating what health care decisions women can make, banning books, and telling people who they can love. All while making it more difficult for you to be able to vote.
When I ran for President four years ago, I said we are in a battle for the soul of America. And we still are. The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom. More rights or fewer.
I know what I want the answer to be and I think you do too. This is not a time to be complacent.
That’s why I’m running for re-election.
Because I know America. I know we are good and decent people. And I know we are still a country that believes in honesty and respect, and treating each other with dignity. That we’re a nation where we give hate no safe harbor. And we believe that everyone is equal, and that everyone should be given a fair shot to succeed in this country.
Every generation of Americans has faced a moment when they’ve had to defend democracy. Stand up for our personal freedoms. Stand up for the right to vote and our civil rights.
And this is our moment.
So if you’re with me, go to JoeBiden.com and sign up. Let’s finish this job, I know we can.
Because this is the United States of America. And there’s nothing we can’t do if we do it together.”
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