WASHINGTON D.C. — Amid the growing calls for President Biden to end his pursuit of re-election, West Michigan's only democratic representative is asking the president to "step aside."
Rep. Hillary Scholten released a statement Thursday, July 11 saying it's time for "a new leader to step up."
"President Biden has served his country well," her post on X reads, "but for the sake of our democracy, he must pass the torch to a new candidate for the 2024 election."
President Biden has served his country well, but for the sake of our democracy, he must pass the torch to a new candidate for the 2024 election. pic.twitter.com/derEO1kl3f
— Hillary Scholten (@HillaryScholten) July 11, 2024
Scholten is the latest member of Congress to publicly call for Biden to bow out of the 2024 election following his debate with former President Trump.
With less than six weeks to go before the Democratic National Convention, the path ahead for the party is not looking any clearer.
“I've been doing politics most of my adult life, and this is by far the weirdest election cycle I've ever been involved in," said Adrian Hemond.
Hemond is the CEO of Grassroots Midwest, a political outreach and advocacy firm. He was in the FOX 17 studios the night of the debate, speaking with our Josh Berry. Two weeks later, he said it's "not surprising" the conversation continues to be centered around Biden's health.
“Every day that goes by where we're focused on this and not, you know, the issues in this election, the contest between, you know, the nominees, that's a bad day for Democrats," he said.
He believes Democratic leaders, like Scholten, are calling for change because of how this election might impact them down the road.
"They're worried that if he craters in the November election, that it could drag them down with him," he said.
Scholten is the first congressional leader in Michigan with a statement asking Biden to step aside.
The path to get there, however, is not that simple.
Hemond said one of two things would need to happen. First, Biden would have to decide he's not going to run again, in which case Vice President Kamala Harris would most likely step in.
“All the money that's been raised so far is in the Biden-Harris campaign account," he explained. "Any other candidate that you could potentially nominate at the convention would be starting from essentially zero.”
The other option is for Biden to be forced off the ticket.
“There aren't great options for Democrats here, but time is short," Hemond said. "The worst option for them is to drag this out for another several weeks. They need to get this settled one way or another soon.”
Scholten has reportedly said the Democratic Party is not in panic mode, although Hemond said "they should be."
Not everyone shares Scholten's perspective, though. On Wednesday, Sen. Gary Peters (D) said Biden was "as sharp as ever" and believes Biden can beat Trump.
FOX 17 has been working with Scholten's team to arrange an interview following up on her comments.
Read the full statement released by her campaign account below:
"President Biden has secured an incredible legacy during his lifetime of public service. The president's tremendous achievements on infrastructure, healthcare costs, climate change, and gun safety follow a distinguished career in the Senate, which included landmark accomplishments such as the Violence Against Women's Act. President Biden has spent his life serving our nation and building the next generation of American leadership. For the good of our democracy, I believe it is time for him to step aside from the presidential race and allow a new leader to step up.
"Ultimately this choice belongs to the president and the president alone. I will respect his decision if he chooses to remain in the race, and I will still vote for him, as a clear and necessary alternative to Donald Trump, who would sow chaos and destruction if he were to return to the Oval Office. But the people of Michigan's 3rd Congressional District elected me to represent them with integrity. They elected a Congresswoman they trust to speak the truth, even when it's hard. They voted for someone who would put America's future first and stand up for what is right. That's what I am doing now.
"With the challenges facing our country in 2025 and beyond, it is essential that we have the strongest possible candidate leading the top of the ticket- not just to win, but to govern. Someone who can unflinchingly defend women's rights to make our own healthcare decisions, while also advancing the gains we've made on lowering healthcare costs and protecting workers. We must have a standard bearer who will fight morning, noon, and night for our civil and voting rights and unite the free world against the rising tide of authoritarianism. Joe Biden has been that leader for so long; but this is not about the past, it's about the future. It's time to pass the torch."
In response, the Biden-Harris campaign provided this statement to FOX 17:
"The progress we’ve made in Michigan is happening because of Joe Biden’s leadership, who brought hundreds of thousands of good-paying, union jobs back to our state, lowered prescription drug costs, and is fighting to protect Michiganders’ hard-earned freedoms. The only other option is Donald Trump, who is running to implement his dangerous Project 2025 agenda to ban abortion, kill Michigan jobs and give him power like no other president to go after his enemies. That’s what’s at stake for Michigan families this November, and that’s why we must unite around the president and stop Donald Trump."
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