Peter Welch becomes first Democratic senator to call for Biden to drop out

Vermont Sen. Peter Welch on Wednesday became the first Democratic senator to call for President Joe Biden to drop his bid for reelection, after a dismal debate performance last month.

At least nine Democratic House members have urged the president to leave the race as of Wednesday, so another Democrat can compete against former President Donald Trump in November, but the Senate had been largely silent.

Welch made his plea in an op-ed for the Washington Post, where he claimed that the first presidential debate made it more difficult for Biden to beat Trump later this year.

“I, like folks across the country, am worried about November’s election. The stakes could not be higher. We cannot unsee President Biden’s disastrous debate performance. We cannot ignore or dismiss the valid questions raised since that night,” Welch wrote.

“I understand why President Biden wants to run. He saved us from Donald Trump once and wants to do it again," the senator continued. “But he needs to reassess whether he is the best candidate to do so. In my view, he is not. For the good of the country, I’m calling on President Biden to withdraw from the race.”

Welch said his constituents are "terrified of another Trump presidency," but praised Vice President Kamala Harris as a "capable, proven leader” who can replace Biden as the Democratic nominee.

Other Democratic senators have expressed fear over Biden's reelection chances against Trump, but none besides Welch have called for him to exit the race. 

Oregon Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenaur also urged Biden to drop out on Wednesday, claiming that although the president has accomplished "unprecedented achievements" the 2024 election is about "protecting democracy" from Trump.

“No president has had more accomplishments under more difficult circumstances than President Joe Biden,” Blumenauer wrote in a statement obtained by The Hill.  “He’s navigated international crises while enacting landmark legislation combating the climate crisis, recovering from COVID, rebuilding and renewing America, and guiding our economic recovery.

"While this is a decision for the president and the first lady, I hope they will come to the conclusion that I and others have: President Biden should not be the Democratic presidential nominee," he added.

Reps. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, Raúl Grijalva of Arizona, Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, Mike Quigley of Illinois, Angie Craig of Minnesota, Adam Smith of Washington, Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, and Pat Ryan of New York have also called for Biden to end his bid.

Biden has maintained that he will remain in the race so far, and is expected to be confirmed as the party's official nominee at the Democratic convention in Chicago next month.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.