Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who faces a tight re-election race, on Thursday became the second Senate Democrat to call on President Biden to withdraw from the presidential race.
“Montanans have trusted me to do what’s right, and it’s a responsibility I take seriously. I worked with President Biden when it made Montana stronger, and I was never afraid to stand up to him when he was wrong,” Tester said in an affirmation.
“And while I appreciate his commitment to public service and our country, I believe President Biden should not seek reelection to another term.”
The Daily Montanan first reported the news.
Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) was the first Senate Democrat to call on Biden to drop out of the race.
Tester is running for a fourth term in Montana as one of two Senate Democrats running for re-election in a state that Donald Trump won handily in 2020.
The Montana Democrat is running against Republican Tim Sheehy, and the nonpartisan electoral pollster Cook Political Report rates Tester’s seat as a “toss up.”
Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), who comes from a safe Democratic district, also called on the president to drop out of the race in his own statement Thursday.
“President Biden was an incredible president who led this country back to strength after the pandemic. I’m proud of the work we did to pass monumental legislation that is leading to the first real investments in our communities in decades,” he said.
“But for the good of the country, I think it is time for the President to pass the torch to the next generation to continue the legacy he started,” he continued. “Democrats need to come together and deliver their strongest team to the American people in this election.”
Tester’s statement, in particular, is the latest blow — though not surprising — for Biden, who has struggled to quell dissatisfaction and concerns within his party about his candidacy following his performance in the June 27 debate.
Nearly a dozen House Democrats have called on the president to drop out of the race, and now two Senate Democrats.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who is running for the California Senate and is expected to win in November, also called on Biden to drop out of the race this week.
All eyes are now on Biden as Democrats wait to see how the president moves forward.
Updated: 9:33 p.m. ET
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
