President Biden announced Sunday he would not seek reelection. This page shows the lawmakers who called for him to step aside as of Sunday morning. The page is no longer updating.
President Biden is facing mounting pressure from fellow Democrats to withdraw from the presidential race after his faltering performance in the presidential debate raised doubts about his mental acuity and ability to defeat Donald Trump.
Nearly three dozen congressional Democrats have publicly called on Biden to step aside, including Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a close ally of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). At least three other Democratic lawmakers said during an off-the-record call with House leadership that they believe Biden should not run, according to people familiar with the discussion. The Washington Post is tracking which congressional Democrats call on Biden to drop out as the party weighs whether he belongs at the top of the ticket.
Growing number of Democrats in Congress say Biden should drop out
Among 263 congressional Democrats, including four independents who caucus with Democrats.
- First presidential debate (June 27)
- Democratic convention begins (August 19)
Many Democrats have rallied behind Biden, however, even as others have raised concerns about hisfitness as a candidate or ability to defeat Donald Trump. The Post is no longer updating this page with comments from Democrats who have been critical of Biden, focusing instead on those who have explicitly said Biden should not be the nominee.
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Biden has said he has every intention of staying in the race.
Why these lawmakers want Biden to step aside
Competitive race in 2024, per Cook Political Report
Sen. Joe Manchin III W.Va.
Jul. 21
“I come to the decision with a heavy heart that I think it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation,” Manchin told CNN. He is one of four independent senators who caucus with Democrats.
Rep. Mark Takano Calif. 39th
Jul. 20
"President Biden’s greatest accomplishment remains saving democracy in 2020. He can and must do so again in 2024—by passing the torch to Vice President Harris as the Democratic Party Presidential nominee." Takano went public with his call for Biden to drop out after he and three other Democratic lawmakers told Democratic House leaders in a closed-door meeting that they wanted Biden to step aside.
Sen. Sherrod Brown Ohio
“I agree with the many Ohioans who have reached out to me ... I think the President should end his campaign,” Brown wrote on X.
Rep. Gabe Vasquez N.M. 2nd
"I believe too many of our fundamental freedoms and the wellbeing of our nation are at risk under a Trump presidency and President Biden should step aside to give Democrats the best opportunity to win this November."
Rep. Morgan McGarvey Ky. 3rd
“President Biden is an incredibly effective and empathetic leader... That's why there is no joy in the recognition that he should not be our nominee in November,” McGarvet wrote in a statement.
Rep. Betty McCollum Minn. 4th
“To give Democrats a strong, viable path to winning the White House, I am calling upon President Biden to release his delegates and empower Vice President Harris to step forward to become the Democratic nominee for president,” McCollum told the Star Tribune. McCollum's campaign staff confirmed the statement to The Washington Post.
Rep. Greg Landsman Ohio 1st
“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 wrote on X.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren Calif. 18th
“Simply put, your candidacy is on a trajectory to lose the White House and potentially impact crucial House and Senate races down ballot. It is for these reasons that I urge you to step aside from our Party's nomination to allow another Democratic candidate to compete against and beat Donald Trump in the November election,” Lofgren wrote in a letter to Pres. Biden.
Sen. Martin Heinrich N.M.
Jul. 19
“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. By passing the torch, he would secure his legacy as one of our nation's greatest leaders and allow us to unite behind a candidate who can best defeat Donald Trump and safeguard the future of our democracy,” Heinrich wrote in a statement.
Rep. Jesús "Chuy" Garcia Ill. 4th
Jul. 19
“We must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign,” Garcia said in a joint statement with three other lawmakers.
Rep. Jared Huffman Calif. 2nd
Jul. 19
“We must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign,” Huffman said in a joint statement with three other lawmakers.
Rep. Mark Pocan Wis. 2nd
Jul. 19
"We must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign," Pocan said in a joint statement with three other lawmakers.
Rep. Marc Veasey Tex. 33rd
Jul. 19
"We must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign," Veasey said in a joint statement with three other lawmakers.
Rep. Sean Casten Ill. 6th
“It is with a heavy heart and much personal reflection that I am therefore calling on Biden to pass the torch to a new generation. To manage an exit with all the dignity and decency that has guided his half-century of public service,” Casten wrote in an opinion piece published by The Chicago Tribune.
Sen. Jon Tester Mont.
“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. And while I appreciate his commitment to public service and our country, I believe President Biden should not seek re-election to another term,” Tester wrote in a statement.
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