Democrats Call for Biden to Step Aside in 2024

A growing number of Democratic lawmakers in Congress are urging President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race following his debate performance against Donald Trump. The dissenting voices include Senators and Representatives, who believe it's time for a new generation to take over the leadership mantle.

A growing number of Democrats in Congress are publicly calling on Democratic President Joe Biden to end his re-election bid after the 81-year-old incumbent's halting debate performance against Republican rival Donald Trump.

Democrats hold 213 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 51 in the U.S. Senate, where they hold the majority. While many lawmakers have expressed unease with Biden's continued candidacy and others have steadfastly backed the incumbent's plans, here is a list of the 23 Democratic U.S. lawmakers who have directly called for Biden to not run again.

SENATOR JON TESTER "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."

REPRESENTATIVE SEAN CASTEN "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."

REPRESENTATIVE JIM COSTA "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 started."

REPRESENTATIVE EARL BLUMENAUER "While this is a decision for the president and the first lady, I hope they will come to the conclusion that I and others have: President Biden should not be the Democratic presidential nominee."

REPRESENTATIVE ED CASE "I do not believe President Biden should continue his candidacy for re-election as President."

REPRESENTATIVE ANGIE CRAIG "I do not believe that the president can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump."

REPRESENTATIVE LLOYD DOGGETT "President Biden has continued to run substantially behind Democratic senators in key states and in most polls has trailed Donald Trump. I had hoped that the debate would provide some momentum to change that. It did not."

REPRESENTATIVE RAUL GRIJALVA "If he's the candidate, I'm going to support him, but I think that this is an opportunity to look elsewhere."

REPRESENTATIVE JIM HIMES "We must put forth the strongest candidate possible to confront the threat posed by Trump's promised MAGA authoritarianism. I no longer believe that is Joe Biden."

REPRESENTATIVE MIKE LEVIN "I believe the time has come for President Biden to pass the torch."

REPRESENTATIVE SETH MOULTON "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."

REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT PETERS "I ask President Biden to withdraw from the presidential campaign."

REPRESENTATIVE BRITTANY PETTERSEN "I have deep admiration and love for Joe Biden and all he has done for our country ... Please pass the torch to one of our many capable Democratic leaders so we have the best chance to defeat Donald Trump."

REPRESENTATIVE MIKE QUIGLEY "Mister President: Your legacy is set ... Step down and let someone else do this."

REPRESENTATIVE PAT RYAN "Joe Biden is a patriot but is no longer the best candidate to defeat Trump."

REPRESENTATIVE ADAM SCHIFF "A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November."

REPRESENTATIVE BRAD SCHNEIDER "The time has come, however, for President Biden to heroically pass the torch to a new generation of leadership."

REPRESENTATIVE HILLARY SCHOLTEN "It is time for him to step aside from the presidential race and allow a new leader to step up."

REPRESENTATIVE MIKIE SHERRILL "Because I know President Biden cares deeply about the future of our country, I am asking that he declare that he won't run for re-election."

REPRESENTATIVE ADAM SMITH "The American people have made it clear they no longer see him as a credible candidate to serve four more years as President."

REPRESENTATIVE ERIC SORENSEN "I am hopeful President Biden will step aside in his campaign."

REPRESENTATIVE GREG STANTON "It is time for the President to step aside as our nominee."

SENATOR PETER WELCH "For the good of the country, I'm calling on President Biden to withdraw from the race."

(With inputs from agencies.)