Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), who is running for reelection this year, reportedly became the third Senate Democrat to call on President Biden to withdraw from the campaign on Friday.
While Heinrich praised the president as one of the most outstanding presidents in modern history in a statement, he also noted that this moment in our country’s history necessitates a focus larger than any single individual.
“While the decision to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone, I believe it is in the best interests of our country for him to step aside. By passing the torch, he would secure his legacy as one of our nation’s greatest leaders and allow us to unite behind a candidate who can best defeat Donald Trump and safeguard the future of our democracy.” he said.
Heinrich faces Republican Nella Domenici in November as the Senate Democrat seeks a third term in the upper chamber.
Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who is running for a fourth term and is in a tough reelection campaign, urged Biden to withdraw from the race on Thursday, as tensions within the Democratic Party have grown over the incumbent and his candidacy.
Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) was the first Senate Democrat to urge the president to withdraw.
Several House Democrats, including Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), issued a joint statement on Friday urging the president to leave the race.
Despite growing requests from party members for Biden to step down, the president and his campaign have remained adamant that he will be the Democratic nominee.
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