Rep. Mike Levin joined the growing chorus of Democrats who are asking President Joe Biden to forgo his re-election bid.
Levin, a San Juan Capistrano Democrat, said on Friday that he was “naturally concerned” following Biden’s debate performance last month, and expressed his concerns with House Democratic leadership.
“Making this statement is not easy. I have deep respect for President Biden’s five-plus decades of public service and incredible appreciation for the work we’ve done together these last three-and-a-half years. But I believe the time has come for President Biden to pass the torch,” said Levin.
“We must prevail against the incalculable threat Donald Trump poses to the American institutions of freedom and democracy,” he added. “Donald Trump actively seeks a bleak authoritarianism and the overthrow of the values which have guided us towards justice and prosperity for nearly two and a half centuries.”
Levin is the first Democrat in the House from Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties to ask Biden to stop his re-election efforts. Rep. Scott Peters, a San Diego Democrat, on Thursday called for a new candidate at the top of the Democratic ticket following Biden’s solo news conference Thursday evening.
“The stakes are high, and we are on a losing course,” Peters said. “We must find a candidate from our deep bench of talent who can defeat Donald Trump.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Lou Correa, D-Anaheim, has remained steadfastly supportive of Biden.
A spokesperson for Rep. Katie Porter, an Irvine Democrat who is leaving office early next year, pointed to earlier statements she’s made calling for Biden to meet with House Democrats.
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