19 House Democrats Urge Biden to Withdraw from 2024 Race

Almost 20 House Democrats have publicly urged President Joe Biden to end his 2024 presidential bid, joining a growing list of politicians, pundits, billionaire donors, and pro-Biden celebrities pushing for his withdrawal following a rocky debate performance two weeks ago. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) and Mike Levin (D-Calif.) have become the 18th and 19th Democrats in Congress to call for Biden to step aside, praising his years of public service but asserting that it’s time for him to step down.

On Thursday evening, Representatives Jim Himes (D-Conn.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), and Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.) joined the push for Biden to end his campaign, issuing statements right after Biden’s high-profile press conference concluding a NATO summit, which was seen as a crucial moment to address Democratic defections. Earlier in the week, other House Democrats, including Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), and Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), also called for Biden to withdraw.

Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) is the only Senate Democrat to publicly advocate for Biden’s exit, arguing in a Washington Post op-ed that Biden should step down “for the good of the country.” Additional calls for Biden to withdraw came from Representatives Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), and Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) last week. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) was the first sitting Democratic lawmaker to push for Biden to step aside after the debate, criticizing his inability to effectively defend his record and counter Trump’s claims.

Several prominent celebrities have voiced their criticism of Biden’s campaign. George Clooney, a major Biden fundraiser, urged the president to withdraw in a New York Times op-ed, suggesting it’s necessary to “save democracy.” Other Hollywood figures, including actor Rob Reiner, author Stephen King, and heiress Abigail Disney, have echoed similar sentiments. Among wealthy donors, billionaire Mark Pincus, who has contributed over $1 million to Biden and the Democrats, is the latest to call for Biden’s exit. Other notable billionaires such as Christy Walton, Michael Novogratz, and Reed Hastings have also suggested Biden step aside, with Mark Cuban advocating for a re-evaluation of potential nominees.

Media figures have been vocal about Biden’s performance and campaign. MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough subtly suggested Biden should withdraw after the debate, though Biden later appeared on the show for a defiant interview. The New York Times’ Editorial Board, along with editorial boards of The Chicago Tribune, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Boston Globe, has urged Biden to consider stepping down. Prominent opinion writers at The Times, including Thomas Friedman, Nicholas Kristof, Ezra Klein, and Paul Krugman, have also recommended Biden withdraw. Similarly, New Yorker editor David Remnick, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, and Atlantic staff writer Mark Leibovich have called for Biden to exit the race.

Political staffers have added to the chorus of criticism. Former Obama advisor and CNN analyst David Axelrod labeled Biden’s insistence on remaining in the race as a “defiant delusion.” Obama aides, who host the popular podcast Pod Save America, have questioned Biden’s viability, reigniting tensions between Biden and Obama supporters. Longtime Democratic consultant James Carville has stated Biden “shouldn’t be” the nominee. Chandler West, a former White House deputy director of photography, expressed on Instagram that “it’s time for Joe to go,” with White House operatives privately noting Biden’s diminished strength.

Former Democratic figures have also voiced their opinions. Julian Castro, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, asserted Biden should “absolutely” withdraw. Former Representative Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) and 2020 candidate Andrew Yang have supported this view, with Yang describing Biden’s campaign as “unwinnable.”

It remains unclear how congressional Democratic leaders will respond, as top leaders have so far maintained their public support for Biden. Despite mounting pressure, Biden has rejected calls to step down, stating in a letter to congressional Democrats, “It’s time for discussions about my debate performance to end.”

Some Democrats have raised questions without explicitly calling for Biden’s withdrawal. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) suggested on MSNBC that Biden’s cognitive abilities could be a concern. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) has voiced alarm about the White House’s strategy since the debate, predicting a potential Trump victory. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) implied Biden might not be able to defeat Trump and called for his withdrawal. Representatives Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) have privately discussed Biden’s potential exit during recent Democratic discussions.

The scrutiny and calls for Biden to withdraw intensified after his underwhelming debate performance last month, where he struggled to articulate responses and displayed signs of mental acuity issues, further compounded by recent public blunders involving misnaming international figures.