Connecticut’s Lamont appears to become first governor to turn on Biden

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Friday appeared to become the first Democratic governor to call on President Joe Biden to step aside from the campaign.

Lamont, facing questions from journalists at an event in New Haven, said he was "simpatico" with Rep. Jim Himes , a fellow Democrat from Connecticut who a day earlier called on Biden to drop out.

"I think we’ve come to the same conclusion," Lamont said.

Lamont declined to elaborate further on his position but went on to say that Biden "did us proud" at Thursday's press conference closing the NATO Summit.

Lamont spokesperson Julia Bergman said later that the governor believes the decision on whether to run should be left to Biden.

"Governor Lamont has been clear that it’s the President’s decision to make, and his comments today reflect that," Bergman said.

Lamont earlier in the week expressed concerns about Biden’s reelection chances with what he described as a defensive campaign. "You don’t win elections by playing defense," he said in an interview with the CT Mirror .

His criticism is notable because Lamont was one of the first Democratic governors to endorse Biden in 2020.

His comments reflect a larger fissure within the Democratic Party as the president has faced calls from an increasing number of lawmakers and donors to step aside since his debate last month with Donald Trump.

Democratic governors have largely rushed to Biden’s defense, with some other notable exceptions.

A week ago, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a member of Biden’s national campaign advisory board, became the first Democratic governor to publicly urge the president to consider exiting the race.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said on Wednesday that “it wouldn’t hurt” for Biden to take a cognitive test to quell concerns about his age.

Earlier this month, Democratic governors held a meeting with Biden after more than two dozen of them privately vented fears and frustration over the president’s debate performance.

After the meeting, Govs. Tim Walz of Minnesota, Wes Moore of Maryland and Kathy Hochul of New York told reporters they were sticking with Biden.

Biden has repeatedly said he believes he is the strongest candidate to take on Trump.

“I’m not in this for my legacy,” Biden said Thursday. “I’m in this to complete the job I started.”