Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), facing reelection this cycle, on Friday became the third Senate Democrat to request President Biden withdraw from the race. Heinrich praised the president as “one of the most accomplished presidents in modern history,” but stressed that “this moment in our nation’s history calls for a focus that is bigger than any one person.”
“Although the decision to withdraw is all based on President Biden’s, I believe it is in the best interests of our country for him to step aside,” he stated. “By passing the torch, he would secure his legacy as one of our nation’s greatest leaders and allow us to rally behind a candidate who can best defeat Donald Trump and protect the future of our democracy.”
In November, Martin Heinrich Will Face Republican Nella Domenici
Heinrich is preparing to compete against Republican Nella Domenici in November as he seeks a third term in the Senate. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates his seat as a “solid Democrat.”
On Thursday, Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who is in a close reelection race and seeking a fourth term, also urged Biden to drop out of the race, reflecting escalating tensions within the Democratic Party regarding Biden’s candidacy. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) was the first Senate Democrat to call for the president’s withdrawal.
Several House Democrats — Reps. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) — also released a joint statement on Friday urging Biden to exit the race.
Despite the increasing calls from within the party, Biden and his campaign have remained steadfast that he will be the Democratic nominee. “Joe Biden has made it more than clear: he’s in this race and he’s in it to win it.
Moreover, he’s the presumptive nominee, there is no plan for an alternative nominee,” Dan Kanninen, Biden campaign battleground states director, wrote in a memo released after the Republican National Convention.
