Former President George W. Bush has released his first statement on the 2024 presidential election, congratulating his fellow Republican, President-elect Donald Trump.
"I congratulate President Trump on his election as 47th President of the United States of America, as well as Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and their families," he said in a statement released about Wednesday 11 a.m. ET.
Bush declined to endorse Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris before the results were known, despite Bush's former running mate, Dick Cheney, endorsing Harris. Cheney's daughter, Liz Cheney, also called for Bush to endorse Harris, while his own daughter, Barbara Bush, canvassed for Harris in Pennsylvania last month.
The Associated Press declared Trump the winner after he sealed Wisconsin's 10 electoral votes, pushing him past the 270-vote threshold needed, at 5:34 a.m. ET.
In his statement, Bush thanked Harris and President Biden for their service.
"Laura and I are grateful to the election officials, poll workers, and volunteers who oversaw a free and fair election," he said. "We join our fellow citizens in praying for the success of our new leaders at all levels of government," adding that the high turnout in the election is a sign of strength in American democracy.
He added "We join our fellow citizens in praying for the success of our new leaders at all levels of government. May God continue to bless our great country."
Following his presidency, Bush has been an active painter in Texas, producing a book called Portraits of Courage of American service members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This is a developing story.
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