Pocan joins other Democrats in calling for Biden to step down from campaign

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis. (Civic Media) – Rep. Mark Pocan is calling for President Joe Biden to step down from his presidential campaign.

Pocan issued a joint statement Friday with three other Democrats in Congress asking for Biden to drop out of the race.

He’s the first Wisconsin Democrat in Congress to publicly call for Biden to end his presidential bid.

I am so appreciative of what President Joe Biden has gotten done for this country, but having a second Trump presidency is as scary of a thought as I can have.

We need to move forward in a way that ensures Trump is never president. It’s time to pass the torch. pic.twitter.com/sqbGZfmfZU

— Mark Pocan (@MarkPocan) July 19, 2024

Pocan said in a post on the social media platform X that a second Trump presidency “is as scary of a thought as I can have.”

“It is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders,” the statement read. “We believe the most responsible and patriotic thing you can do in this moment is to step aside as our nominee while continuing to lead our party from the White House.”

Reps. Chuy Garcia of Illinois, Jared Huffman of California and Marc Veasey of Texas joined Pocan in issuing the statement.

“We must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign,” the statement read. “Passing the torch would fundamentally change the trajectory of the campaign.”

Biden has adamantly rejected calls to end his campaign in the aftermath of a televised presidential debate in which party members have said the president lacked energy.

Former president Donald Trump was nominated to run for president this year at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week. Trump selected Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate.

Less than a week ago, Trump survived an apparent assassination attempt in western Pennsylvania.

For Wisconsin’s other Democratic leaders, Rep. Gwen Moore has previously said she supports President Biden. Sen. Tammy Baldwin has not taken a public position on Biden’s candidacy, despite her Republican opponent in this fall’s Senate race, Eric Hovde, making repeated calls for her to make a statement.

Gov. Tony Evers has several social media posts touting President Biden’s administration for federal funding that Wisconsin is receiving.

Vice President Kamala Harris will campaign in Milwaukee on Tuesday.

The Democratic National Convention is in Chicago Aug. 19-22. The front page of the DNC website states, “Democrats will rally around Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ nomination for President and Vice President of the United States.”