HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — With elected Democrats quietly — and unelected left-leaning voices loudly — calling for President Biden to consider giving up his race for re-election, an ostensibly-surprising voice called Friday for Biden to remain on the ticket.

“Joe Biden absolutely needs to remain on the ballot,” said State Rep. Seth Grove (R-York Co.)

The difference between Grove and Democratic leaders who publicly backed Biden Friday? Grove wants Biden to stay because he thinks the president’s presence on the ticket helps Republicans .

“I think [U.S. Senate candidate] Dave McCormick is going to get a bump from that,” Grove said. “I think our House and Senate candidates all across the Commonwealth are going to get a huge bump from that.”

Some House Democrats said Biden’s performance wasn’t disastrous, viewed in the context that his aides said he had a cold — and that anyway, a debate performance isn’t everything.

“Anybody who has been sick and had to show up to work — you know, you do struggle a little bit,” said State Rep. Dave Madsen (D-Dauphin Co.) “But when you look at the substance, i think you couldn’t have a clearer comparison.”

Local likely voters who spoke with abc27 News Friday generally agreed with a majority of voters nationally that Biden had a bad night, but they were split over whether that meant he shouldn’t be re-elected.

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“You can’t please everybody,” said Thomas L. Duncan, speaking in York’s Continental Square, about Biden’s performance — which he agreed was shaky. Still, if the election were today, “I would vote for Biden. Biden has done a lot for seniors, which, I am a senior citizen.”

“Trump seemed to do better overall,” Stuart Miller — also passing through the Square — said of the debate. But even beyond that, “I have to go with Trump at this point, just because i think he his policies did benefit more people.”

Some voters thought no one won.

“They’re both worn out,” said Tim McClymont, also speaking in the Square. “I didn’t feel like there was any energy whatsoever in either of their responses.”

McClymont’s favorite candidate? Robert Kennedy Jr., who wasn’t included in the debate.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.