Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-Minn.) issued a statement on Friday calling on President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, becoming the 28th Democratic senator to make such a call.
“Joe Biden is one of the greatest presidents in modern history. He has led our country through unprecedented challenges with unwavering commitment and deep integrity. His years of service have had a lasting impact on the lives of countless Americans,” the senator said in a statement.
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Senator Martin Heinrich called on Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race. (Getty Images)
“But this moment in our nation’s history demands a focus bigger than one person. Donald Trump’s return to the White House poses an existential crisis for our democracy,” he explained. “We must defeat him in November, and we need a candidate who can do that.”
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Biden is facing pressure to halt his campaign activities. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
“While the decision to withdraw from the campaign was President Biden’s own, I believe it is best for our country for him to step aside,” Heinrich said, noting that “passing the baton” would help him leave a legacy as “one of our nation’s greatest leaders.”
More than 10% of congressional Democrats have called on Biden to drop out of the race.
Senator Jon Tester has called on President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. (Getty Images)
Heinrich is seeking re-election in New Mexico, a state considered “strongly Democratic” by The New Mexico, a nonpartisan political forecasting site. Cook Political ReportBut concerns are growing about Biden’s lead as a Democratic candidate, reviving fears that even more seats in the House and Senate could be at risk.
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The New Mexico Democrat was the fifth Democrat to call on Biden to withdraw on Friday alone.
Sen. Joe Tester (D-Mont.) urged Biden to resign in a statement Thursday night, becoming the second senator to do so. The Montana Democrat is facing one of the most competitive races in the country as he seeks to defend his seat in a Republican-leaning state that twice voted for former President Trump.
Senator Welch was the first Democratic senator to call on Biden to drop out of the race. (Getty Images)
Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vermont), a member of the Democratic caucus, was the first senator to call on Biden to drop out of the race.
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Despite growing public pressure to withdraw, Biden and his team remain adamant that they intend to continue the campaign.
The White House also categorically denied all reports suggesting the president was planning to end his campaign.
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