Get the best experience by installing our app!

0:00

Rep. Raúl Grijalva of Arizona urged Biden to step aside, following Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, who also called on Biden to abandon his re-election bid.

Rep. Raúl Grijalva of Arizona has publicly urged President Biden to end his re-election bid. Grijalva, the second Democrat to do so, shared his concerns following last week's debate. He told The New York Times, “If Biden is the candidate, I’ll support him, but we should consider other options.”

Grijalva said Biden must "shoulder the responsibility for keeping that seat, which includes getting out of the race." A spokesman confirmed his comments Wednesday night.

Grijalva, a leading progressive voice and former co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, joins Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, who urged Biden to leave the race on Tuesday.

When asked about Grijalva's remarks, a Biden campaign official highlighted Biden's efforts to "address concerns raised after the debate." These efforts include media interviews, campaign events, and a planned news conference next week.

Democrats are debating behind the scenes whether Biden is still a viable candidate and who could replace him if needed. Biden and his close advisers insist he isn't dropping out. On a call with campaign aides Wednesday, Biden firmly stated he was staying in the race.

"Let me be clear: I am running," Biden said during a call with campaign aides, according to an official. "No one is pushing me out. I'm not leaving. "I'm committed to this race until the end, and we will win."

Grijalva, the first Democrat from a crucial swing state to urge Biden to step aside, noted Biden's narrow victory in flipping Arizona blue by just over 10,000 votes in 2020.

Both Doggett and Grijalva represent solidly blue districts and won decisively in 2022. Doggett received 76.8% of the vote, while Grijalva secured 64.5%.

Doggett, explaining his call for Biden to drop out, cited poor polling numbers and Biden's debate performance."I represent a district once held by Lyndon Johnson. At different times, he made the difficult choice to withdraw," Doggett said Tuesday,” President Biden should do the same.”

Grijalva, aged 76, first won a Congressional seat in 2002 and is running for re-election this year. He holds a prominent position as the leading Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee and has been a longstanding member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Rep. Nanette Barragán, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, told NBC News she was unaware Grijalva planned to call for Biden to step aside. “You’re always surprised when something unexpected happens,” she said. “And I didn’t speak to him.”

 

Join with us

Send

Subscribe Now

Keep updated with the latest news!