More than 35 congressional Democrats have now called on Biden to end his reelection bid

Katie Mather
·Reporter
Updated ·15 min read
3.6k
President Biden speaks in Las Vegas on July 16.
President Biden speaks in Las Vegas on July 16. (Susan Walsh/AP)

A wave of congressional Democrats have called on President Biden to drop his 2024 campaign. They add to the pressure he faces as he seeks to reassure his party that he is ready to take on former President Donald Trump in November.

More than 35 congressional Democrats have now called for Biden to step aside in what would be an unprecedented decision, while a number of other party leaders have voiced various concerns about his candidacy.

Biden, meanwhile, has shown no signs of backing down after a highly criticized debate performance last month reinforced questions about his age and fitness for office. The president said he simply had a "bad night," and he has since held rallies and a series of media interviews in an attempt to showcase his viability on the campaign trail.

Here are the Democrats who have spoken out. Check back here, as this article will be continually updated.

The Democratic-turned-Independent Senator from West Virginia, and chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said on ABC's This Week it was time for Biden to "pass the torch to a new generation."

While Takano acknowledged Biden's accomplishments in a statement shared on X, the Democratic Congressman from California called on the president to "pass the torch" to Kamala Harris.

The Democratic lawmaker from Minnesota released a statement Friday calling on Biden to "release his delegates and empower Vice President Harris to step forward to become the Democratic nominee for president."

In a statement released Friday evening, Brown of Ohio became the latest Senator to come out in favor of Biden exiting the race. "I think the President should end his campaign," he said.

McGarvey, a Democratic representative from Kentucky, emphasized the need to "defeat Donald Trump, flip the House, and protect the Senate" in a statement shared on X.

"There is no joy in the recognition he should not be our nominee in November," McGarvey wrote. "But the stakes of this election are too high."

The New Mexico representative shared a statement complimenting Biden's career but ultimately called for the president to "step aside to give Democrats the best opportunity to win this November."

Landsman, a representative from Ohio, posted a thread on X partly inspired by former President Donald Trump's speech at the Republican National Convention the night before.

"To allow Trump to become president and control all three branches of government puts our democracy and freedoms at great risk," Landsman wrote. "It is time for President Biden to step aside and allow us to nominate a new leader who can reliably and consistently make the case against Donald Trump."

In a joint statement, the four representatives — from California, Texas, Wisconsin and Illinois, respectively — wrote, "We must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign."

"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," the letter concluded.

In an op-ed for the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois representative wrote that "with a heavy heart" he is calling on Biden to leave the race and "pass the torch to a new generation."

Heinrich, of New Mexico, became the third Democratic Senator to ask Biden to step aside, issuing a statement the morning after the final day of the Republican National Convention.

"While the decision to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden's alone, I believe it is in the best interests of our country for him to step aside," Heinrich wrote.

Lofgren, a representative from California and one of the members of the Jan. 6 select committee, issued a statement praising Biden's achievements as president but also asking him to step aside.

"As I am aware that you have been provided data indicating that you in all likelihood will lose the race for President, I will not go through it," she wrote. "Your candidacy is on a trajectory to lose the White House and potentially impact crucial House and Senate races down the ballot."

Lofgren added that, should Biden ultimately be confirmed as the Democratic nominee, she would "do everything I can to promote your candidacy."

The day after Rep. Adam Schiff called Biden to exit the race, Costa, a fellow California Democrat, said in a statement he thought "it is time for the President to pass the torch to the next generation to carry on the legacy he started."

Jon Tester, Montana's senior senator, has asked Biden to drop out of the race in a statement given to the Daily Montanan.

“Montanans have put their trust in me to do what is right, and it is a responsibility I take seriously. I have worked with President Biden when it has made Montana stronger, and I’ve never been afraid to stand up to him when he is wrong,” Tester said. “And while I appreciate his commitment to public service and our country, I believe President Biden should not seek reelection to another term.”

The California Democrat told the Los Angeles Times that the "choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden's alone," but Biden should "pass the torch" and "secure his legacy of leadership" by allowing another Democrat to step forward to challenge Trump.

Schiff is running for the Senate seat that was long held by Dianne Feinstein.

Levin released a statement that he was "concerned about President Biden's performance in the recent debate."

"It is time to move forward. With a new leader. Together," he concluded.

The Colorado congresswoman said that she is "joining the growing number of people" to ask Biden to "pass the torch to one of our many capable Democratic leaders."

Sorensen, an Illinois congressman, was the third House Democrat to speak out shortly after the president's NATO news conference.

The California lawmaker also issued his statement after Biden's press conference.

“Today I ask President Biden to withdraw from the presidential campaign. The stakes are high, and we are on a losing course. My conscience requires me to speak up and put loyalty to the country and to democracy ahead of my great affection for, and loyalty to, the President and those around him,” Peters said in a statement. “We must find a candidate from our deep bench of talent who can defeat Donald Trump.”

Himes, a Connecticut Democrat, called on Biden to exit the race as the president was wrapping up his highly anticipated NATO news conference Thursday.

In an email to a local Oregon outlet, Gluesenkamp Perez, a Washington state representative, wrote, "Like most people I represent in Southwest Washington, I doubt the President's judgement about his health, his fitness to do the job, and whether he is the one making important decisions about our country, rather than unelected advisors.

"The crisis of confidence in the President’s leadership needs to come to an end," she added. "The President should do what he knows is right for the country and put the national interest first."

The Arizona congressman reiterated themes from other representatives asking Biden to step down — some extremely similar to what Rep. Brad Schneider said earlier in the day — including that "the stakes in this election could not be higher" and "it is time for the President to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders."

"The Democratic Party must have a nominee who can effectively make the case against Trump," Stanton wrote. "For the sake of American democracy, ... I believe it is time for the President to step aside as our nominee."

"My guidepost is what is the best way forward for our country," the Hawaii congressman said in a statement. "I do not believe President Biden should continue his candidacy for re-election as President."

Schneider's statement described how Biden "has the opportunity to secure his legacy" by leaving the race.

"The stakes in this election could not be higher," the Illinois Democrat wrote. "I love President Biden. I am forever grateful for his leadership and service to our nation. The time has come, however, for President Biden to heroically pass the torch to a new generation of leadership."

Scholten, who flipped her district in Michigan in 2022, issued a statement on X that Biden should “step aside from the presidential race and allow a new leader to step up.”

However, she added that should Biden stay in the race, she would "respect" the decision and “will still vote for him, as a clear and necessary alternative to Donald Trump."

In an op-ed in the Washington Post, Welch, of Vermont, became the first U.S. senator to call for Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race.

“I understand why President Biden wants to run. He saved us from Donald Trump once and wants to do it again. But he needs to reassess whether he is the best candidate to do so. In my view, he is not," Welch wrote.

Blumenauer, of Oregon, became the ninth House Democrat to call for Biden to exit the presidential race.

"It is a painful and difficult conclusion but there is no question in my mind that we will all be better served if the president steps aside as the Democratic nominee and manages a transition under his terms," Blumenauer said in a statement, according to Politico. "He has earned that right."

Ryan told the New York Times that he felt Biden should step aside "for the good of the country."

"I'd be doing a grave disservice if I said he was the best candidate to serve this fall," the New York Democrat said. "For the good of our country, for my two young kids, I'm asking Joe Biden to step aside in the upcoming election and deliver on the promise to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders."

In a statement posted on X, Sherrill shared that because she knows "Biden cares deeply about the future of our country," he should "declare he won't run for reelection" and "help us through a process toward a new nominee."

Sherrill added that her concerns lie with the "threat" of Trump returning to the White House.

"The stakes are too high," the New Jersey Democrat wrote. "I realize this is hard, but we have done hard things in pursuit of democracy since the founding of this nation. It is time to do so again."

Smith, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, told CNN on July 8 that he agreed Biden should end his candidacy and that Vice President Kamala Harris "would be a much better, stronger candidate." He also issued a similar statement on his official site.

"The president's performance in the debate was alarming to watch and the American people have made it clear they no longer see him as a credible candidate to serve four more years as president," Smith said. "Since the debate, the president has not seriously addressed these concerns.

"This is unacceptable. The stakes are simply too high. Donald Trump and MAGA extremism pose an existential threat to our nation, and we need to be in the strongest possible position to win in this election."

Smith did add that if Biden stays in the race, he will support him.

"If he gets the nomination, I'm all in," Smith said.

Craig, a Democrat who represents Minnesota's second congressional district, issued a statement hours after the ABC interview, for Biden to step aside in the 2024 race.

While noting her respect for Biden's "decades of service," Craig said "given what I saw and heard from the President during last week's debate in Atlanta, coupled with the lack of a forceful response from the President himself following that debate, I do not believe that the President can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump.

"This is not a decision I've come to lightly, but there is simply too much at stake to risk a second Donald Trump presidency," she added, before calling on Biden to drop out of the race and "allow for a new generation of leaders to step forward."

"There is only a small window left to make sure we have a candidate best equipped to make the case and win," Craig said.

Quigley, an Illinois Democrat, became the fourth House Democrat to call on Biden to exit the presidential race.

"Mr. President, your legacy is set," he said on MSNBC. "We owe you the greatest debt of gratitude. The only thing that you can do now to cement that for all time and prevent utter catastrophe is to step down and let someone else do this."

Quigley affirmed his decision in comments following Biden's ABC News interview Friday.

The Illinois representative had previously publicly expressed reservations about Biden continuing his campaign, urging the president to "appreciate at this time just how much it impacts not just his race, but all the other races that are coming in November."

Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat and Iraq war vet, became the third House Democrat to call on Biden to step aside. He did so in an interview with Boston radio station WBUR.

"President Biden has done enormous service to our country, but now is the time for him to follow in one of our founding fathers, George Washington's footsteps and step aside to let new leaders rise up and run against Donald Trump," Moulton told WBUR.

Moulton said the mechanism for choosing a new candidate was "yet to be determined" and could include "some sort of primary process" or that Vice President Kamala Harris could emerge as the presidential nominee.

On Wednesday, Moulton had released a statement that had stopped short of calling for Biden to exit, but had recommended "all viable options" be on the table.

Grijalva became the second House Democrat to call on Biden to drop out. In an interview, he said, "If he’s the candidate, I’m going to support him, but I think that this is an opportunity to look elsewhere."

"What he needs to do is shoulder the responsibility for keeping that seat," the Arizona Democrat continued, "and part of that responsibility is to get out of this race.”

Doggett was the first Democrat in office to directly call for Biden to drop out. In a statement, which circulated on X, Doggett, of Texas, said Biden’s debate performance did not reassure voters and Biden “failed to effectively defend his many accomplishments and expose Trump’s lies.”

Following Biden's ABC News interview Friday, Doggett said the "need" for Biden to step aside was growing more urgent every day.

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