Vice President Joe Biden is praising the decision by his son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, to not run for his father’s former Senate seat this year and instead to focus on prosecuting a high-profile case involving alleged child abuse.
“I know I sound like the proud father I am, but all of his life, Beau has put duty above any personal ambition, and this decision today is another example of that exceptional character trait,” Vice President Biden said in a statement provided to TPMDC. “Jill and I are so proud of our son and feel fortunate as Delawareans that he is our Attorney General.”
Beau Biden’s decision could potentially improve Republican chances to pick up the seat. The GOP already has a strong candidate in Rep. Mike Castle, who has represented the state’s only House seat since 1992. Democrats do not currently have a candidate, though New Castle County Executive Chris Coons has been mentioned in media reports as a possible contender.
(Reporting by Christina Bellantoni.)
Late Update: A White House aide told National Journal: “While the president didn’t call Beau, he and the VP discussed it regularly, as recently as Friday, and the president was very encouraging and asked the VP to pass along to Beau his belief that Beau would win.”
