Connecticut politicians respond to Himes’ call for Biden to drop out of race

Editor’s Note: News 8 reporter Mike Cerulli was a paid college intern for Himes for several months in 2020.

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Rep. Jim Himes (D) became the latest high-profile Democrat and the first member of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation to publicly call for President Joe Biden to exit the Presidential race on Thursday evening.

“President Joe Biden is a remarkable leader of unparalleled public service,” Himes wrote in part in a statement released Thursday evening. “I hope that, as he has throughout a lifetime of public service, he will continue to put our nation first and, as he promised, make way for a new generation of leaders.”

Himes represents Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District, which encompasses much of Fairfield County. Elected in 2008, Himes is the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee and a member of the “Gang of Eight” – a group of Congressional leaders who are briefed on highly-classified intelligence.

Himes’ statement came shortly after the conclusion of the President’s press conference on the final day of the NATO summit in Washington.

Speaking to News 8 on Friday, Himes elaborated on the reasons he decided to publicly call for the President to step aside. Chief among his concerns is a fear that the president is not the strongest choice to lead his party to victory in an election which many Democrats believe to be critical for the future of democratic norms and institutions.

“I’ve been watching the polls for a very, very long time,” Himes said. “I’ve been watching the folks that say now the House of Representatives, which I thought we were going to win in November, is very much at risk. And that’s what drove my decision.”

Himes also stated that he had concerns about the 81-year old President’s age – concerns that were heightened by the president’s halting debate performance two weeks ago.

“I also have been with the president enough to know that there has been a change over time,” Himes said. “And you know, I’ve got aging parents, so I recognize the nature of that change and that was a concern for me.”

Himes said that he was not concerned that the president could not adequately respond to a national security crisis.

The Chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party leveled criticism at both Himes and President Biden.

“Jim Himes and the Democrats were fully aware of the issues Joe Biden faced, yet they chose to keep them hidden from the American people,” wrote Ben Proto, chair of the CT GOP, in a reference to concerns about the president’s age and mental acuity that have proliferated since he announced his intentions to seek the Presidency in 2020.

Speaking about Himes and Biden, Proto alleged, “the American people have seen through their facade and rhetoric, understanding that their true desire is power.”

The president has reiterated that he intends to continue his campaign. He has found support in many corners of his own party, including in Connecticut.

“The president has been adamant: he’s in it and he’s running. As far as I know, there’s no other candidate running for the Democratic nomination,” Congressman John Larson, who represents Connecticut’s First Congressional District, said. “This election will be about character and policy. It’s time for Democrats to unite and come together to re-elect Joe Biden and defeat Donald Trump.”

A spokesperson for Congressman Joe Courtney of Connecticut’s Second Congressional District referred to a previous statement in which the Congressman said, “Stopping Donald Trump from regaining the White House ― which his chairman of the Joint Chiefs, defense secretary, national security advisor, vice president, and countless others have said would be a threat to democracy and security ― is the top priority in 2024.” Courtney continued, “I will support the most pragmatic and effective path to achieving that goal.”

Spokespeople for Sen. Chris Murphy, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, and Rep. Jahana Hayes declined to comment on Friday on Himes’ calls for the President to step aside.

A spokesman for Rep. Rosa DeLauro did not respond to News 8’s request for comment as of 4:00 p.m. on Friday.

In the event that Biden follows the advice of Democrats like Himes in the coming days or weeks, the task of selecting a new presidential nominee would fall to the delegates to next month’s Democratic National Convention.

Himes spoke glowingly of the prospect of multiple Democratic p[residential hopefuls being showcased before a national audience at the convention.

“The eyes of the world would be on us as we made a generational change,” Himes said. “I think that would be a spectacular week.”

Himes said he was not yet committed to any particular successor to President Biden, but he did reiterate that the process must be initiated by the president himself.

“I would hope the President would secure his legacy by, you know, doing the George Washington thing–the Cinncinatus of returning to my farm–and that the delegates then would make a choice,” said Himes. “When that happens, then I’ll start thinking as a delegate about what the right choice is.”

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