The news Sunday that President Joe Biden had withdrawn from the 2024 presidential election immediately sent ripples through Oregon’s largely Democratic congressional delegation and other halls of political power.

U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, an Oregon Democrat who was the first to call on Biden to step down, was also the first to respond publicly.

“Today, President Joe Biden cemented his legacy in American history as the greatest president in the last 50 years,” Blumenauer gushed in a prepared statement. “He made the right decision to spend the remainder of his presidency implementing his landmark achievements rather than fighting a campaign against Donald Trump. I am encouraged that President Biden can devote his full attention to this work.”

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, an Oregon Democrat who represents the North Coast, jumped on Biden’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president: “I thank Joe Biden for his many years of exemplary service, and am grateful to have worked together during his very productive years as President of the United States. Now we must move forward and come together as a country to help Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump and J.D. Vance.”

Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, also weighed in on social media. “I thank President Biden for his decades of leadership and his steadfast dedication to make life better for working families,” she wrote on X. “Oregon, and the whole country, are so much better off today — safer, healthier, and more secure — because of Joe Biden’s years of service.”

One Republican leader in Oregon urged Biden to go further, by stepping down as president.

U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, an Oregon Republican, said: “I’m concerned that President Biden is unfit to carry out the demanding responsibilities that come with being the leader of the free world. If he’s unable to run for re-election, he shouldn’t be making day-to-day decisions that impact our national security.”

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, stressed Biden’s record in the White House — and immediately took aim at former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.

“I’ve been proud to work with President Biden on a record of Democratic successes these past 3 1/2 years that includes historic wins over Big Pharma, and major gains in the fights against both wealthy tax cheats and the climate crisis,” Wyden said in a written statement. “History will judge well those landmark achievements. I’m all in to support Vice President Harris with all my energy to go forward building on that impressive record and defeating Donald Trump – a convicted felon who wants to yank America backward with his checkered and erratic past of right-wing extremism on women’s health care, dirty energy and more.”

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, said the presidential election “is between democracy and autocracy.”

“No president in my lifetime has done more than Joe Biden. He’s achieved historic successes in investments in American manufacturing, renewable energy, and infrastructure, strengthened our security, and repaired relationships around the world,” the senator said in a statement.

“Throughout decades of public service, President Biden has led with humility and compassion, with a laser-focus on making life better for ordinary Americans. I am grateful to have worked with him to serve the people and stand up to the powerful, and respect today’s decision that positions us to protect the programs he’s championed.”