New Jersey Democratic Rep. Mickey Sherrill on Tuesday became the latest Democrat to publicly call on President Joe Biden to step down as his party's 2024 nominee.
Sherrill posted a statement on her Twitter account on Tuesday afternoon saying Biden has “honorably served this country with grace and dignity for over 50 years,” but that concerns raised by both her constituents and fellow lawmakers led her to decide to ask him to resign. (Related article: “Biden is not leading in any election”: MSNBC data expert analyzes Trump's surge in post-debate polls)
“The people of my district are united in their concern for our country and our future. They want a leader who can build on our successes, but also who will focus our people's attention on the imminent threat that Trump poses to our democracy, freedom, and nation,” Sherrill wrote.
“I know this is hard, but we've done hard things in the pursuit of our democracy since the founding of our country, and now is the time to do so again.”
I know President Biden cares deeply about the future of our country.
That is why I am asking him to declare that he will not run for reelection.
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/rR2rmZ1ewN
— Mikie Sherrill (@MikieSherrill) July 9, 2024
Calls for Trump to drop out of the 2024 presidential race began shortly after Biden's poor performance in the June 27 debate, in which he repeatedly struggled to finish his thoughts and froze mid-sentence. Since then, many pundits on the left have openly questioned the president's mental health, and several Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern as well.
“I know that President Biden and his team are true public servants who have always put the best interests of our country and our democracy first. And because I know President Biden cares deeply about the future of our country, I ask him to declare that he will not run for re-election and to lead the process of selecting a new candidate,” Sherrill wrote.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas became the first Democrat to call on Biden to drop out of the race by July 2, 2024. Sherrill is joining a number of other outspoken members of her party in the effort, including Reps. Jerry Nadler of New York, Adam Smith of Washington, Mark Takano of California and Joe Morrell of New York.
Despite the pressure, Biden and his staff have repeatedly stressed that the president remains loyal to the campaign, with Biden calling on party members to “run” against him at the Democratic National Convention.
“I am frustrated The elites — not you — The party elites. “Oh, they I know a lot more.” These people are I think I should run, I'm against it myself. Announces his candidacy for president. C“Don't criticize me at the convention,” Biden said in an interview on MSNBC on Monday.
National polls since the debate have shown Trump gaining support among voters, with his average lead over Biden doubling to about 3 points. vote The poll, conducted July 7-8 and released Tuesday, found that of 1,370 voters surveyed, Trump received the support of 46 percent, Biden 43 percent and 11 percent of respondents were still undecided.
