Colorado Rep. Pettersen urges Biden to drop reelection bid

Colorado Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen on Friday urged President Joe Biden to drop his reelection bid.

Pettersen posted her statement in the wake of a Biden press conference in which he made multiple misstatements and gaffes, even referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as "Vice President Trump." The flubs came as Biden has attempted to brush off his widely panned debate performance, which drew calls for him to step aside as the party nominee.

"President Biden is a good man who has served this country faithfully and admirably over his decades of service," she said in a statement. "I had the privilege of being an organizer of his 2008 campaign, and he is a big reason I went down the path of public service myself.

"I have deep admiration and love for Joe Biden and all he has done for our country, which is why this decision is so painful, but my son and my constituents can't suffer the consequences of inaction at this critical moment," she went on. "Joe Biden saved our country once, and I'm joining the growing number of people in my district and across the country to ask him to do it again."

"Please pass the torch to one of our many capable Democratic leaders so we have the best chance to defeat Donald Trump, who is the greatest threat to the foundation of this country that we have ever faced," she urged.

Pettersen's statement made her the 18th Democratic member of Congress to urge Biden to drop out, according to Politico.

Biden has thus far resisted calls for him to stand aside.

“I wouldn’t be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024," he said earlier this month.