U.S. President Joe Biden is facing growing pressure from within his own party to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. As of Friday afternoon, 32 congressional Democrats have publicly called for Biden to step aside in favor of a different nominee who they believe has a better chance of defeating former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Among those urging Biden to exit the race are nine House Democrats and one Democratic senator, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico. Senator Chris Coons, who co-chairs Biden’s campaign, acknowledged that the president is considering his options and weighing who would be the strongest candidate to represent the Democratic Party in November.
Despite the mounting calls for him to drop out, Biden’s campaign co-chair, Jen O’Malley Dillon, reaffirmed the president’s commitment to staying in the race. She emphasized that Biden is determined to win and will continue to campaign vigorously to defeat Trump and secure a second term in office.
While Biden has expressed his intention to remain in the race and has plans to resume campaigning after recovering from a Covid-19 infection, reports suggest that discussions within his family have considered the possibility of him withdrawing from the election.
In addition to the Democratic lawmakers who have publicly urged Biden to step aside, the political action committee arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has endorsed his candidacy for reelection. The endorsement underscores the support Biden still enjoys within certain segments of the party despite the calls for him to withdraw.
A memo from the Biden campaign obtained by NBC News reiterated that Biden remains the Democratic presidential nominee and that there are no plans for an alternative candidate. The memo highlighted that while concerns about Biden’s age have been raised by voters, his core support base remains strong and committed to voting for him in November.
As the situation continues to evolve, it is clear that the debate within the Democratic Party over Biden’s candidacy is ongoing. While some voices within the party are calling for a change in leadership, others are standing firm in their support for the president as the best hope for defeating Trump in the upcoming election.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the outcome of the Democratic primary race and whether Biden will ultimately remain as the party’s nominee. Stay tuned for further developments as the situation unfolds.