Arizona U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton calls on Biden to step aside

U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) called on President Biden to step down as the party's presumptive nominee Thursday, joining a growing chorus of congressional Democrats publicly urging him to end his campaign.

The big picture: In a statement , Stanton touted himself as an early Biden supporter in 2020, calling the president "one of our ​​country's most effective modern chief executives" whose most defining legacy is likely "as a fierce defender of American democracy."

• But, he said, the Democratic Party needs a presidential nominee who can make an effective case against former President Trump and "have the confidence of the American people to handle the rigors of the hardest job on the planet for the next four years."
• "For the sake of American democracy, and to continue to make progress on our shared priorities, I believe it is time for the president to step aside as our nominee," Stanton said.

Why it matters: Biden has dug in his heels and resisted calls to withdraw from the race in the wake of his debate performance and questions about his age and mental acuity. But increasing calls from Democratic lawmakers could create enough pressure to force his hand.

Zoom out: Stanton is the second Arizona congressional Democrat to publicly call for Biden to drop out. U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva was the second overall to do so.

• Nationally, Stanton is one of nearly 20 House Democrats who have called for Biden to withdraw, along with one senator, Peter Welch of Vermont.
• Lawmakers have told Axios that more such statements are expected to follow, especially if Biden underperforms at his NATO press conference Thursday night.

The other side: Biden has received pronouncements of support from dozens of House and Senate Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

• Biden has consistently maintained to congressional Democrats that he is not dropping out of the race.
• In a statement to Axios, Jacques Petit, the Biden-Harris campaign's Arizona spokesperson, said Trump is a threat to enact a nationwide abortion ban and "continues to push violent rhetoric and extremism."
• "That's what's at stake for Arizonans in this election and why we must stand with President Biden and stop Donald Trump."

What he's saying: "Donald Trump poses an existential threat to our Constitution and the rule of law, and to the hard-fought rights Americans have enjoyed for generations. A second Trump term would be devastating for our Republic and the stakes in this election could not be higher," Stanton said.

• "For the sake of American democracy, and to continue to make progress on our shared priorities, I believe it is time for the President to step aside as our nominee."

Catch up quick: Stanton is a former Phoenix mayor and three-term congressman who currently represents Arizona's 4th Congressional District, which includes parts of Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Chandler.