Biden commends Swalwell after the lawmaker exits 2020 race

Former Vice President Joe Biden praised Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) on Monday after the lawmaker announced he was dropping out of the 2020 Democratic primary to pursue reelection to the House.

Biden also commended Swalwell for bringing attention to the issue of gun control during his 2020 presidential run.

{mosads}The warm words from Biden came after the two sparred during the first Democratic debate, with Swalwell urging Biden to “pass the torch” to younger generations.

“.@EricSwalwell ran a passionate campaign, and I commend him for bringing more attention to the urgent need for gun safety reform in America,” Biden tweeted Monday.

.@EricSwalwell ran a passionate campaign, and I commend him for bringing more attention to the urgent need for gun safety reform in America.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 8, 2019

Swalwell, the first major Democrat to drop out of the 2020 primary, wrote in a post on his campaign website that he decided to drop out because his polling and fundraising numbers were not “what we had hoped for” and he no longer saw “a path forward to the nomination.”

Swalwell focused his presidential campaign on addressing gun violence, kicking off his campaign in April just miles away from Parkland, Fla. 

{mosads}Biden also praised Swalwell’s push for improved election security as a member of the House Intelligence Committee, where the lawmaker called for an impeachment inquiry into President Trump after Trump said he would “listen” if a foreign government offered him political dirt on a political opponent.

“His leadership on the House Intelligence Committee and his influential voice pushing the Trump Administration to secure our elections have helped make clear the stakes for our country in next year’s election,” Biden tweeted.

His leadership on the House Intelligence Committee and his influential voice pushing the Trump Administration to secure our elections have helped make clear the stakes for our country in next year’s election.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 8, 2019

“The Democratic Party is lucky to have leaders like Eric, and I look forward to continuing to work with him on the pressing issues facing Americans,” the former vice president added.  

The Democratic Party is lucky to have leaders like Eric, and I look forward to continuing to work with him on the pressing issues facing Americans.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 8, 2019

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), another 2020 hopeful, joined Biden in applauding Swalwell on Monday. Harris tweeted that Swalwell is a “great fighter for the people of California.”

.@ericswalwell, you’re a great fighter for the people of California. We are a stronger nation because of your work to protect our children and our communities from gun violence.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 8, 2019