WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Reaction is pouring in after President Joe Biden’s political bombshell dropped on Sunday.

Biden announced he would end his re-election bid on social media just moments before endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.

Now, we’re hearing from local leaders from both ends of the political spectrum.

“It was a shock I do believe to folks,” State Democratic Chair Leader Anderson Clayton said.

“I don’t think it was a surprise,” New Hanover County Republican Party Chair Nevin Carr said.

Brunswick County Democratic Party Chair Shelley Allen praises Biden for the decision.

“We trust his judgment that he made the decision that he thought was in the best interest of our country,” she said.

While the county’s republican chair says this doesn’t change the GOP’s focus.

“Our county’s highly motivated to vote. Our numbers are really growing, the interest is out there,” Bill Moore, Brunswick County Republican Party Chair, said.

“What is the Democratic party going to change to actually earn the votes of the people in this country, rather than just try to ram down the next anointed person of whoever is going to tow that party line?” Carr questioned.

As North Carolina becomes a key battleground state, Harris could gain some goodwill with voters by choosing Governor Roy Cooper for vice president.

Cooper posted on X in support of her run for president saying she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump.

State Democratic Chair Leader Anderson Clayton agrees, backing Harris all the way.

“We love Governor Cooper and the deliveries that he’s made for people across North Carolina, in particular rural North Carolina, and we think he could share that vision across the country. But, we are backing and fully supportive of whoever [Harris] picks to be her vice president.”

The big question: will Americans choose Harris as president? It’s a question that won’t be answered until November.

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