US Congressman from Texas becomes first Black Caucus member to call for Biden's withdrawal

U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth on Friday became the second House Democrat from Texas and the first member of the Congressional Black Caucus to call on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, putting another dent in Biden's armor as he fends off public criticism for his uninspiring debate performance in June.

"Mr. President, with great admiration for you personally, sincere respect for your decades of public service and patriotic leadership, and deep appreciation for everything we have accomplished together during your presidency, it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders," Veasey and Reps. Jared Huffman of California, Chuy Garcia of Illinois and Mark Pocan of Wisconsin wrote in a joint letter to Biden, which was published in a news release Friday.

The announcement comes more than two weeks after U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, became the first Democratic Congress member to urge Biden to stand down. Veasey had previously expressed concern about the effect Biden's continued candidacy would have on down-ballot races in comments July 9 to CNN.

"We must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign," Friday’s letter said. "Passing the torch would fundamentally change the trajectory of the campaign. It would reinvigorate the race and infuse Democrats with enthusiasm and momentum heading into our convention next month."

While the officials do not explicitly endorse a replacement for Biden at the top of the ticket, the representatives wrote that "Democrats have a deep and talented bench of younger leaders, led by Vice President Kamala Harris."

The lawmakers' note urging Biden to withdraw adds to similar calls from more than a dozen other Congress members. However, it puts Veasey at odds with other Texas members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Democratic Reps. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston have been among Biden's most vocal advocates since support for him began to plummet after his June 27 debate performance against former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee.

The Biden campaign is "clear-eyed" about concerns voiced by some Democrats, Biden campaign spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg told the American-Statesman on Friday afternoon.

"While the majority of the caucus and the diverse base of the party continues to stand with the President and his historic record of delivering for their communities, we’re clear-eyed that the urgency and stakes of beating Donald Trump means others feel differently," Ehrenberg said in an email statement. "Unlike Republicans, we’re a party that accepts – and even celebrates – differing opinions, but in the end, we will absolutely come together to beat Donald Trump this November."

The Hill reported Friday morning that Biden could soon make a major announcement on his "political future," stirring up rumors that the incumbent could be planning to withdraw. His campaign, however, has flatly denied that Biden intends to relinquish his spot in the race.

"You have heard from the President directly time and again: He is in this race to win, and he is our nominee, and he's going to be our President for a second term," Biden-Harris campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon said on MSNBC's Morning Joe on Friday.

Biden also continues to have the public backing of a majority of House Democrats, some of who have highlighted continued concerns about what a post-primary switch-up could mean.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, one of the most progressive members of Congress, on Thursday night told her Instagram followers that pundits, donors and strategists might be underestimating legal challenges to a convention-day nomination and that the short timeline any new candidate would have to campaign could imperil Democratic chances to keep the White House in November.

"I think that is how (Biden) became president, is through a lot of people underestimating his performance with demographics that are not traditionally valued," Ocasio-Cortez said. "And I think that people see where he's weak. They don't often see where he's strong."

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from Biden's reelection campaign.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Democratic US Rep. Marc Veasey calls on Joe Biden to withdraw