Reports: Senior Democrats call for Biden to quit presidential race

During a meeting of party leaders Sunday, Riverside County congressman Mark Takano and three other senior Democrats called for President Joe Biden to drop out of his reelection campaign, according to published reports.

Takano, the ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, joined Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, the Judiciary Committee ranking member, Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, and Joseph Morelle of New York, the ranking member of the Administration Committee, a source familiar with the meeting confirmed for HeySoCal.com.

The New York Times cited several anonymous sources in an article about the reps’ private leadership phone call, which according to the newspaper was organized by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Other Democratic representatives on the call expressed concerns about Biden’s campaign heading into November, including Jim Himes of Connecticut, Zoe Lofgren of California, Don Beyer of Virginia and Rick Larsen of Washington, Politico reported, citing unnamed sources.

Members of Congress have repeatedly urged Biden to quickly schedule more unscripted, town hall-type events to show his vitality and energy, according to Politico.

Takano, a 63-year-old Riverside native, has served in the House since 2013 and represents the 39th Congressional District, which has areas of Riverside, Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley and Perris.

A Takano spokesperson declined a request for comment Monday.

Following the June 27 presidential debate hosted by CNN, Democrats have increasingly called for Biden to withdraw from the campaign against likely Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump. A chorus of Biden’s fellow party members have voiced concerns about the president’s age and fitness for office.

In an interview with ABC News broadcast Friday, Biden said emphatically he intends to remain in the race and win a second term.