WASHINGTON — Representative Raul Grijalva from Arizona on Wednesday became the second Democrat in Congress to publicly call for President Joe Biden to end his re-election campaign, as many Democrats privately voice concerns about Biden’s prospects after last week’s debate.
Grijalva told The New York Times that if Biden is the nominee, “I will support him, but I think this is an opportunity to look elsewhere.”
He added that Biden “has to take responsibility for keeping that seat — and part of that responsibility is getting out of this race.”
A spokesperson for Grijalva confirmed his comments on Wednesday evening.
Grijalva is a leading progressive voice on Capitol Hill and co-chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Rep. Lloyd DoggettD-Texas, became the first Democrat on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to urge Biden to withdraw from the race.
Asked for comment on Grijalva’s remarks, a Biden campaign aide pointed to efforts by Biden, his campaign and the White House to “address concerns raised after the debate,” including Biden’s participation in media interviews and campaign events, and plans to hold a press conference next week.
Democrats are busy behind the scenes debating whether Biden is still a viable candidate, and who could replace him as the first candidate if that happens.
Biden and his team of close White House and campaign advisers say he is not backing down. During a call with campaign staff Wednesday, Biden was adamant he would stay in the race.
“Let me say this as clearly as I can, as simply and directly as I can: I’m in,” Biden said, according to an official on the call. “Nobody is pushing me out. I’m not running. I’m in this race to the end, and we’re going to win.”
Grijalva is the first Democrat from a key swing state to call on Biden to step aside. Biden won Arizona by a razor-thin margin in 2020, flipping the state blue by just over 10,000 votes.
Both Doggett and Grijalva are in all-blue districts and won their 2022 races convincingly, with Doggett receiving 76.8% of the vote, while Grijalva received 64.5%.
In explaining his decision to urge Biden to withdraw, Doggett pointed to Biden’s declining poll numbers and his performance in the debates.
“I represent the heart of a congressional district that was once represented by Lyndon Johnson, who under very different circumstances made the painful decision to withdraw,” Doggett said in Tuesday’s statement. “President Biden should do the same.”
Grijalva, 76, was first elected to Congress in 2002 and is seeking reelection this year. He is the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee and a longtime member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Nanette Barragán told NBC News she was not aware that Grijalva planned to call on Biden to resign.
“You’re always surprised when you don’t know something’s going to happen,” she said. “And I haven’t talked to him.”
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
