All The Democratic Lawmakers Calling On Joe Biden To Bow Out Of The 2024 Race

WASHINGTON – The slow-drip of Democratic lawmakers calling on President Joe Biden to drop his reelection bid continues, to the point where a dam may be about to break.

On Friday, 11 more House members and one more senator urged Biden to step aside amid concerns about his mental acuity and ability to defeat Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in the November election.

In total, more than 30 Democratic lawmakers are publicly pressuring the president to bow out of the race. That’s more than 10% of all congressional Democrats.

Democratic lawmakers have been panicking about Biden’s fitness to lead the country, particularly after his disastrous presidential debate performance last month. They point to polls showing him falling behind Trump in the aftermath of that debate, and are worried that a sinking Biden ticket will drag down their races too, potentially handing full control of Congress to Republicans in November.

Biden maintains he’s not going anywhere and is the best candidate to defeat Trump. He’s got the support of at least some in his party to stay atop the ticket, and it is his decision, ultimately, on how to proceed. But the pressure is intensifying on him to pull out, and there’s only a few more weeks until the Democratic National Convention, at which point delegates will cast their votes for the party’s official nominee. In other words, Democrats need to come together and decide what they want to do as a party – and fast.

Here’s a list of all of the Democratic lawmakers who have publicly called on Biden to bow out and “pass the torch” to the next generation of leaders, as many have put it. This list will be updated if and when more lawmakers make similar calls.

Senators

1. Peter Welch of Vermont: Welch was the first senator to urge Biden to bow out, writing in a July 10 op-ed, “I understand why President Biden wants to run. … But he needs to reassess whether he is the best candidate to do so. In my view, he is not. For the good of the country, I’m calling on President Biden to withdraw from the race.”

2. Jon Tester of Montana: “While I appreciate his commitment to public service and our country, I believe President Biden should not seek re-election,” he said in a July 18 statement. Tester is in a close race that could decide which party controls the Senate.

3. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico: “The return of Donald Trump to the White House poses an existential danger to our democracy,” he said in a July 19 statement. “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.”

House members

4. Lloyd Doggett of Texas: He was the first lawmaker to call on Biden to step aside, citing his sagging poll numbers and poor debate performance. “I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw,” he said on July 2.

5. Raul Grijalva of Arizona: He told The New York Times on July 3 that Biden needs to “shoulder the responsibility for keeping that seat — and part of that responsibility is to get out of this race.”

6. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts: Biden’s debate was a “disaster,” Moulton said July 4, and “now is the time for him to follow in one of our founding father George Washington’s footsteps and step aside to let new leaders rise up and run against Donald Trump.”

7. Mike Quigley of Illinois: He said on MSNBC on July 5 that Americans owe Biden “the greatest debt of gratitude” for his decades of service, but the best way for him to “prevent utter catastrophe is to step down and let someone else do this.”

8. Angie Craig of Minnesota: “I do not believe that the President can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump,” Craig said on July 6. “That’s why I respectfully call on President Biden to step aside.”

9. Adam Smith of Washington: “President Biden should end his candidacy for a second term and release his delegates to the Democratic National Convention,” he said July 8. He added that this should happen “as soon as possible” to allow an alternative to be chosen.

10. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey: “I know President Biden cares deeply about the future of our country,” Sherill said in a July 9 statement. “That’s why I am asking that he declare that he won’t run for reelection.”

11. Pat Ryan of New York: “Joe Biden is a patriot but is no longer the best candidate to defeat Trump,” he said in a July 10 statement. “For the good of our country, I am asking Joe Biden to step aside ― to deliver on his promise to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders.”

12. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon: “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,” he said in a July 10 statement.

13. Hillary Scholten of Michigan: “President Biden has served his country well, but for the sake of our democracy, he must pass the torch to a new candidate for the 2024 election,” Scholten said in a July 11 statement.

14. Brad Schneider of Illinois: In a July 11 statement, Schneider said it is time for Biden “to heroically pass the torch to a new generation of leadership to guide us to the future he has enabled and empowered us to pursue.”

15. Ed Case of Hawaii: “Difficult times and realities require difficult decisions,” Case said in a July 11 statement. “This is one of those times, realities and decisions. … I do not believe President Biden should continue his candidacy for re-election as President.”

16. Greg Stanton of Arizona: “I was one of President Biden’s earliest supporters in 2020,” he said in a July 11 statement. “However the stakes in this election could not be higher. For our country’s sake, it is time for the President to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders.

17. Jim Himes of Connecticut: Biden is “a remarkable leader of unparalleled public service, undeniable achievement, and unconditional patriotism,” he said on July 11. “It is because of those traits … that I hope President Biden will step away from the presidential campaign.”

18. Scott Peters of California: “Today I ask President Biden to withdraw from the presidential campaign,” he said on July 11. “The stakes are high, and we are on a losing course. … We must find a candidate from our deep bench of talent who can defeat Donald Trump.”

19. Eric Sorensen of Illinois: “In 2020, Joe Biden ran for President with the purpose of putting country over party,” he said in a July 11 statement. “Today, I am asking him to do that again. … I am hopeful President Biden will step aside in his campaign for President.”

20. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington: “The crisis of confidence in the President’s leadership needs to come to an end,” she said on July 11. “The President should do what he knows is right for the country and put the national interest first.”

21. Brittany Pettersen of Colorado: “Please pass the torch to one of our many capable Democratic leaders so we have the best chance to defeat Donald Trump,” she said in a July 12 statement.

22. Mike Levin of California: “I have deep respect for President Biden’s five plus decades of public service and incredible appreciation for the work we’ve done together,” Levin said in a July 12 statement. “But I believe the time has come for President Biden to pass the torch.”

23. Adam Schiff of California: “While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch,” he said July 17.

24. Jim Costa of California: “President Biden has been an incredible President,” he said in a July 18 statement. “But for the good of the country, I think it is time for the President to pass the torch to the next generation to carry on the legacy he has started.”

25. Zoe Lofgren of California: “Your candidacy is on a trajectory to lose the WH and potentially impact crucial House and Senate races down ballot,” she wrote in a July 18 letter to Biden. “I urge you to step aside from our Party’s nomination.”

26. Greg Landsman of Ohio: “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 and make the case for the future of America,” Landsman said in a July 19 statement.

27. Sean Casten of Illinois: “It is with a heavy heart and much personal reflection that I am therefore calling on Joe Biden to pass the torch to a new generation,” Casten said in a July 19 op-ed.

28. Jared Huffman of California: “Mr. President, with great admiration for you personally, sincere respect for your decades of public service and patriotic leadership … it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders,” he said in a July 19 joint statement.

29. Marc Veasey of Texas: “Mr. President, with great admiration for you personally, sincere respect for your decades of public service and patriotic leadership … it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders,” he said in a July 19 joint statement.

30. Chuy Garcia of Illinois: “Mr. President, with great admiration for you personally, sincere respect for your decades of public service and patriotic leadership … it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders,” he said in a July 19 joint statement.

31. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin: “Mr. President, with great admiration for you personally, sincere respect for your decades of public service and patriotic leadership … it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders,” he said in a July 19 joint statement.

32. Betty McCollum of Minnesota: “I am calling upon President Biden to release his delegates and empower Vice President Harris to step forward,” McCollum said in a July 19 statement. She suggested Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as a potential running mate for Harris.

33. Kathy Castor of Florida: “I think it’s an exciting time to possibly pass the torch,” she said on July 19, also plugging Harris to take his spot. “Kamala Harris is a fighter and I have full confidence in her.”

34. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky: Biden “genuinely cares about our country,” McGarvey said in a July 19 statement. “That’s why there is no joy in the recognition he should not be our nominee in November.”

35. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico: “I believe too many of our fundamental freedoms ... are at risk under a Trump presidency and President Biden should step aside to give Democrats the best opportunity to win this November,” he said in a July 19 statement.