WASHINGTON — Rep. Raúl Grijalva of Arizona on Wednesday became the second Democrat in Congress to publicly call on President Joe Biden to end his reelection bid, as many Democrats continue to privately express concerns about Biden’s prospects. after last week’s debate.
Grijalva said The New York Times that if Biden is the candidate, “I will support him, but I think this is an opportunity to look elsewhere.”
He added that Biden must “take responsibility for holding this seat — and part of that responsibility is getting out of this race.”
A spokesperson for Grijalva confirmed his comments Wednesday night.
Grijalva is a leading progressive voice on Capitol Hill, having served as co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, on Tuesday became the first Democrat on Capitol Hill to urge Biden to drop out of the race.
Reached for comment on Grijalva’s comments, a Biden campaign official pointed to efforts by Biden, his campaign and the White House to “address concerns raised after the debate,” including Biden’s participation in media interviews and public events. campaign, as well as plans to hold a press conference next week.
Democrats are fighting behind the scenes as they debate whether Biden remains a viable candidate — and who could replace him at the top of the ticket, if so.
Biden and his team of close White House and campaign advisers say he will not give up. In a call with campaign advisers on Wednesday, Biden was emphatic that he would remain in the race.
“Let me say this as clearly and directly as possible: I am running,” Biden said, according to an official present on the call. “No one is kicking me out. I’m not going away. I’m in this race until the end and we’re going to win.”
Grijalva is the first Democrat from a vital swing state to call on Biden to resign. Biden won Arizona in 2020 by a razor-thin margin, turning the state blue by just over 10,000 votes.
Both Doggett and Grijalva are in solidly blue districts and resoundingly won their races in 2022. Doggett got 76.8% of the vote, while Grijalva got 64.5%.
In explaining his decision to urge Biden to drop out, Doggett cited declining poll numbers and Biden’s debate performance.
“I represent the heart of a congressional district that was once represented by Lyndon Johnson. Under very different circumstances, he made the painful decision to withdraw,” Doggett said in Tuesday’s statement. “President Biden should do the same.”
Grijalva, 76, was first elected to Congress in 2002 and is seeking re-election this year. He is the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee and a longtime member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
The chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Nanette Barragán, told NBC News she was unaware that Grijalva was planning to call on Biden to resign.
“You’re always surprised when you don’t know something is coming,” she said. “And I didn’t talk to him.”
Julie Tsirkin contributed.
This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com read the full story
