Sen. Jon Tester, facing tough reeelection bid, joins calls for Biden to drop out

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., is the latest lawmaker calling for President Joe Biden to drop his bid for reelection ? the second senator and first vulnerable Democrat to do so.

“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 in a post on X Thursday evening.

“And while I appreciate his commitment to public service and our country, I believe President Biden should not seek re-election to another term.”

The senior senator's comments joined a growing chorus of Democrats publicly questioning Biden's ability to win in November and on the heels of the president testing positive for COVID Wednesday.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reportedly met with Biden over the weekend and told the president his status at the top of the ticket is endangering Democrats chance of control in both chambers. ABC News first reported the meeting.

Biden, though, has remained defiant, saying he is staying in the race.

Tester's seat is one of a few that Republicans are eyeing in hopes of taking back the Senate majority in 2024.

Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont was the first Senate Democrat to call for Biden to drop out.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Montana Sen. Jon Tester calls for Biden to leave 2024 race