Rep. Sherrill says Biden should end reelection campaign

by Nikita Biryukov, New Jersey Monitor

Rep. Mikie Sherrill called on President Joe Biden to suspend his reelection campaign and allow the party to choose a new nominee, becoming the first member of the state’s congressional delegation to call on Biden to step aside.

In a statement, Sherrill, who won her suburban district’s House seat in the 2018 Democratic wave that was seen as a rebuke of then-President Donald Trump, praised Biden’s presidency but said the chance of a second Trump presidency demands he withdraw from the race.

“Because I know President Biden cares deeply about the future of our country, I am asking that he declare that he won’t run for reelection and will help lead us through a process toward a new nominee,” she said.

Democrats have questioned whether Biden, 81, can win a second term following a spotty debate performance in late June that enlivened questions about his capacity to serve a second term.

On Monday, Biden told congressional Democrats he intends to remain in the race, though some Democrats have continued to call for him to pull out.

Sherrill is the seventh House Democrat to call for Biden’s withdrawal. Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-Tex.), Raúl Grijalva (D-Az.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Adam Smith (D-Wa.), and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) earlier called for him to cede the presidential nomination.

“I have heard from people in my district who are united in their concern for our country and our future. They want a leader who can continue to build on our successes but is also able to turn the nation’s attention to the urgent threat that Trump presents to our democracy, to our freedoms, and to our country,” Sherrill said.