A rising number of House Democrats and Democratic senators are urging President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, following his widely criticized debate performance last month. The pressure campaign against the president shows no sign of abating.
On Friday, Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-D), Marc Veasey (TX-D), Chuy Garcia (ILL-D), and Mark Pocan (WI-D) issued a joint statement calling for President Biden to “pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders.”
Senator Sherrod Brown (OH-D), facing a tough reelection fight, also called on Biden to withdraw, stating, “I think the President should end his campaign.” Earlier in the day, Senator Martin Heinrich (NM-D) echoed this sentiment, urging Biden to step aside.
The group was joined by Representatives Greg Landsman (OH-D), Zoe Lofgren (CA-D), Morgan McGarvey (KY-D), Betty McCollum (MN-D), and Gabe Vasquez (NM-D). Veasey and Garcia are notable members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, respectively, both crucial groups whose support Biden has worked to maintain.
President Biden recently met with both caucuses and participated in an economic summit co-hosted by Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-D) on Tuesday. Despite this, the lawmakers who signed the joint statement warned that public concerns about Biden’s age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign against former President Donald Trump.
“These perceptions may not be fair, but they have hardened in the aftermath of last month’s debate and are now unlikely to change,” the lawmakers said. “We believe the most responsible and patriotic thing you can do in this moment is to step aside as our nominee while continuing to lead our party from the White House.”
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The group emphasized that the Democratic Party has a deep bench of young leaders ready to succeed Biden, led by Vice President Kamala Harris. “Passing the torch would fundamentally change the trajectory of the campaign. It would reinvigorate the race and infuse Democrats with enthusiasm and momentum heading into our convention next month,” they said. “Mr. President, you have always put our country and our values first. We call on you to do it once again, so that we can come together and save the country we love.”
Senators Brown and Heinrich join Senators Peter Welch (VT-D) and Jon Tester (MT-D) in encouraging Biden to exit the race. Heinrich emphasized the need for a candidate who can defeat Trump in November and believes Biden stepping aside would secure his legacy as one of the nation’s greatest leaders.
Despite the growing calls for him to withdraw, Biden has remained firm in his campaign, stating that voters selected him as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Biden, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, has been campaigning and participating in media interviews from his home in Delaware.
Mia Ehrenberg, a Biden campaign spokesperson, acknowledged the differing opinions within the party but emphasized a united goal: “We all share the same goal: an America where everyone gets a fair shot and freedom and democracy are protected. Unlike Republicans, we’re a party that accepts — and even celebrates — differing opinions, but in the end, we will absolutely come together to beat Donald Trump this November.”
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-D) continues to support Biden, stating, “President Biden, as I’ve said repeatedly, is our nominee and he has a tremendous track record of success. He’s one of the most accomplished American presidents in our history and he has the vision, I believe, the ability, capacity, and track record to make a case to the American people that will result in us being successful in November.”
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