Jon Tester Calls on Biden to Drop Out, Becoming Second Senate Democrat to Do So Publicly

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) called on President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race, becoming the second Democratic senator to do so publicly.

“Montanans have put their trust in me to do what is right, and it is a responsibility I take seriously. I have worked with President Biden when it has made Montana stronger, and I’ve never been afraid to stand up to him when he is wrong,” Tester said in a statement Thursday night. “And while I appreciate his commitment to public service and our country, I believe President Biden should not seek re-election to another term.”

The only other senator to call for Biden to drop out is Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT). Earlier on Thursday, top House Democrat Adam Schiff (D-CA), who is running for Senate in California, called on Biden to suspend his re-election campaign. He joins more than a dozen other members of Congress calling for the incumbent president to cede the nomination to another candidate.

The pressure comes as polls taken in the wake of a catastrophic debate show Biden down to Trump both nationally and in key swing states needed to win the 2024 election.