INDIANAPOLIS — Moments after President Joe Biden announced he was not running for reelection, several Indiana lawmakers expressed their opinions in the matter.
13News spoke with U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind., who said this announcement came at the right time.
"It's monumental for the moment, it's monumental for our country," Carson said. "I think President Biden made the right decision."
He said the country should not stall on this announcement but rather push towards the election.
"It is an unprecedented time and unprecedented event but there are also unprecedented stakes," he said. "We are ready for the moment and the Democratic Party must move forward."
On the other side of the isle, Hoosier Republicans criticized Biden for being in the race originally.
In a statement on X, U.S. Senator and Republican candidate for Indiana Governor Mike Braun said:
"If President Biden is incapable of serving as his party's nominee, he's incapable of serving as our commander in chief for the next six months. He should resign effective immediately as a matter of national security."
Also, Congressman Jim Banks said on X:
"Every Democrat knew Joe Biden couldn't run for office. They set him up to embarrass himself at the debate with Trump. Now they're robbing voters of a choice in the nominee so their party elites can choose. Hijacking democracy!"
13News also spoke to several Hoosiers off camera who said this is not a topic they feel comfortable talking about yet. One woman visiting the city told 13News she wasn't shocked by the news and says this election year has been historic.
"With Trump and right now Biden, it's sometimes like politics and the real life feel like two worlds apart," Mariana Flores said.
She said this announcement shows how quickly things can change.
"It's like everything in life, nothing is certain, so we just have to take each day one day at a time," she said.