Massachusetts governor calls for Biden to consider dropping out of 2024 election

WASHINGTON — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey on Friday called for President Biden to evaluate whether he remains Democrats' best shot to defeat former President Donald Trump, becoming the first Democratic governor to signal publicly the party might be better off with a different nominee.

Healey, a Biden ally, was one of 10 Democratic governors who met Wednesday with Biden at the White House while 14 other Democratic governors attended the meeting virtually. Healey was not among three governors who came out of the West Wing together afterward to speak to reporters and reaffirm their support Biden following Biden's dismal debate performance last week.

"President Biden saved our democracy in 2020 and has done an outstanding job over the last four years. I am deeply grateful for his leadership. And I know he agrees this is the most important election of our lifetimes," Healey said in a statement.

"The best way forward right now is a decision for the President to make. Over the coming days, I urge him to listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump," she added.

She said that "whatever President Biden decides," she is "committed to doing everything in my power to defeat Donald Trump.”

Biden has vowed he will remain in the 2024 race, telling supporters gathered at the White House Fourth of July Celebration on Thursday, "I'm not going anywhere."

The White House and Biden campaign have spent the week trying to contain the damage from Biden's disastrous debate last week against Trump, in which Biden struggled to complete thoughts and finish sentences. His poor showing alarmed Democrats and ignited a growing number of calls that he bow out of the race.

Two Democratic members of Congress, Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas and Rep. Rau?l Grijalva of Arizona, have called for Biden to end his campaign.

The Democratic Governors Association asked for this week's meeting with Biden after governors raised concerns not just about Biden's debate performance but also the campaign's response to it.

Governors Tim Walz of Minnesota, Kathy Hochul of New York and Wes Moore addressed reporters after the roughly one-hour meeting ended, each recommitting their support for Biden by saying the "have his back." But Walz also made clear their top priority is finding a "path to victory in November."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer each expressed support for Biden in written statements on social media after this week's meeting.

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Massachusetts. Gov Maura Healey calls for Biden to reevaluate campaign