Nebraska 'elector' reacts to Biden dropping out

NEBRASKA CITY – An Omaha woman known as the first African American to cast an electorate ballot for a Democrat in Nebraska history said she was shocked Sunday at President Joe Biden’s announcement that he was dropping out of the presidential race and said there is work ahead to make sure Donald Trump and JD Vance are defeated in November.

Precious McKesson, the executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party, said she is grateful for everything President Biden has given to the country for decades.

McKesson: “I’m very grateful to President Biden for the opportunity that I’ve had, being a part of his administration as a political appointee to the Department of Education and being able to represent him and his policy. I’m very grateful, but very sad though because I really was ready to give him four more years in office.”

The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to begin Aug. 19, just 29 days after Biden’s announcement. McKesson says Democrats have work ahead of them.

McKesson: “Being able to make sure we get Vice President Kamala Harris across the finish line and  whoever her running mate is so that she is elected as the first African American woman president means a lot. We know we have a lot of work to do and it’s going to take us to be knocking on doors, talking to voters and making sure we’re putting their issues first.”

She says Vice President Harris is a popular candidate.

McKesson: “She has the experience. She has the leadership. She has shown that. I mean, if she was not a good leader, why would President Biden pick her to be his running mate in 2020? If anybody questions that, she’s always been the number two in line, now she’s in the running for the number one to be elected on Nov. 5."