Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo has made a call for President Joe Biden “to seriously reconsider” his run for re-election, reportedly becoming the first Democratic mayor in the state to publicly take this stance.
Gordo, who holds a non-partisan seat on the City Council, initially shared his views with a statement to Politico on Wednesday, July 17, saying in part, “it’s clear that the American people want another candidate at the top of Democratic ticket. Now the American want, and need, real change. I hope the president will meet this moment and heed this call.”
When reached by phone on Thursday, Gordo reiterated his appeal, but was careful to point out that he’s not “asking the president to step down from the presidency.”
“This is strictly a political decision going forward for candidate Biden to reconsider his candidacy and think about who is in the best position to protect his legacy and protect our American values, including issues like immigration, education, and health care.”
Gordo said he “has a great deal of respect” for Biden. However, listening to the rhetoric at the Republican National Convention “cuts deeply” for him.
“There are hundreds of thousands of people, if not millions of people, who could, if given the opportunity, contribute greatly to this country,” said Gordo, who immigrated to the U.S. as a child from Mexico. “And to hear us turning back the clock to a time when we no longer value everyone’s contribution, is not an America that we want to return to.”
President Joe Biden at an event in North Las Vegas, Nevada, July 16, 2024. (Photo AP/Ronda Churchill)
He stressed that he is not speaking on behalf of the City Council or the city of Pasadena, but “as an individual who happens to be a city mayor, but who also is an immigrant to this country, ”
Gordo’s public service career began in 1997 when then–Vice Mayor Bill Crowfoot appointed him as the field representative for District 5. He was elected as Pasadena’s mayor in 2020 and re-elected in the March 5 primary election.
Gordo declined to reveal who he believes would be better suited for the candidacy than Biden, saying, “that’s a separate issue.”
The mayor’s statements reflect a rising call within the Democratic Party for a new leadership amid Biden’s poor debate performance and increasing concern about his ability to lead in light of his age, 81. His remarks came just hours after Rep. Adam Schiff called on the president to “pass the torch.”
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