WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released this statement following the news that President Joe Biden is withdrawing from the presidential race:
“Joe Biden is a statesman and a patriot. Throughout his years in the White House and for decades before that, he has always gone to bat for working people, always putting our concerns and priorities first.
“History will judge the Biden-Harris administration as a resounding success — rebuilding the economy from the wreckage of the pandemic, making historic investments in infrastructure, making health care and prescription drugs more affordable, and sending hundreds of billions of dollars in federal aid so communities nationwide could continue providing essential public services.
“For his steady leadership, for his dignity and character, for his unwavering belief that unions and working-class people are the engine of our economy, we thank him and wish him the very best.
“Patriotism, sacrifice and service — these are the values that AFSCME members live by. And they are the values that have defined President Biden’s leadership, that make our country and its democracy strong.
“At AFSCME, we will fight to protect and build on President Biden’s legacy. We will do everything possible over the next three and a half months to ensure the next president shares our vision of an economy powered by working people and an America united around our common humanity.”