Democratic politicians and political donors spoke up last week about whether they believe President Joe Biden should stay in the race. Here's where lawmakers and donors from Washington state stand.
You-gotta-go Joe
Rep. Adam Smith, District 9 (Seattle to Tacoma)
Adam Smith was one of the first members of Congress to call for Biden to step down. Smith told NPR, “The concerns about his health are papering over our efforts to focus on Trump. …We need a better messenger, and I think we have an opportunity to get a better one, and I think we ought to take it,” he told NPR.
(Statement issued on July 8)
Sen. Patty Murray
Sen. Patty Murray said Biden should “seriously consider” how to secure his legacy, which The New York Times called “a statement that passed for fighting words.”
(Statement issued on July 8)
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, District 3 (Southwest WA)
“Like most people I represent in Southwest Washington, I doubt the President’s judgement about his health, his fitness to do the job, and whether he is the one making important decisions about our country, rather than unelected advisors,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in a statement. “The President should do what he knows is right for the country and put the national interest first.”
(From interview with KGW8 Portland on July 11)
State Sen. Mark Mullet, Democrat from Issaquah currently running for governor
“Joe Biden right now is not in a position to beat Donald Trump. I think Vice President Harris can beat Donald Trump, but the clock is ticking here. Like, we have to figure this out sooner rather than later, and I think it's time for the party to coalesce around Vice President Harris,” Mullet said at a campaign event.
(Said at campaign event on July 10)
Solona Sisco, Washington state delegate from Seattle pledged to Biden-Harris.
“I just find it a little boring – a little frustrating – being put into a role of ceremony,” Sisco said, adding that she hopes the president steps down. “I'd like to be able to make my voice heard in a meaningful way. I want to vote in meaningful ways.”
(Told KUOW on July 11)
Still decidin’ on Biden
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell
Harrell joined a call with Biden and 200 Democratic mayors. When KUOW asked if he was “all in for Biden-Harris,” as Biden’s team said of the mayors, Harrell’s office replied, “Mayor Harrell was on this call, but we do not have a comment at this time.”
(Email response on July 11)
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, District 7 (most of Seattle and parts of King County)
“I’m fully behind him as our nominee until he’s not our nominee,” Jayapal told a CBS reporter as she got into a car. “I have a close relationship with him. We’ve done a lot of great things together. There are serious concerns that have been raised and – I’m looking forward to our conversation with him.”
(Statement posted to X on July 9)
Jay Inslee, Washington state governor
“He will make that decision. But I can tell you he’s done some great work on climate change. I know there’s questions. But again, I want to focus on beating Trump - that’s what I’m focused on,” Inslee told the Bloomberg Green Festival in Seattle.
(Said on July 11)
Janet Sinegal, donor, married to former Costco CEO James Sinegal
Sinegal said she and her husband were disappointed by Biden’s debate performance but would support him nonetheless.
“We’re very upset that he did not do well,” Sinegal said. "If it’s Biden, we will still support him, but if they decide to make a change, we will still support that also."
(Told KUOW July 8)
Rep. Suzan DelBene, District 1
In a text message to Semafor , a digital news outlet, DelBene wrote, “The stakes are incredibly high this election, for all of us. That hasn’t changed after last week. The choice this November is crystal clear: Democrats who want to govern responsibly versus extremist Republicans obsessed with tax breaks for billionaires, rolling back reproductive freedom, and defending Trump’s attacks on our democracy.”
Pro Joe
Rep. Rick Larsen, District 2 (Skagit and Whatcom counties)
Larsen tweeted: “I certainly do not want to be lumped in with the few members calling for the Prez to step down. I’m on Team Biden. I know people confuse Adam Smith and me, but try to be accurate about what our positions are.”
Washington State Democratic Party
“This election our democracy and freedom are on the line. Washingtonians and folks across the country know this. It’s why over the last week we’ve seen grassroots organizers, labor, and community leaders unite to show their support for a Biden-Harris ticket – because we know this is how we defeat fascism and continue to build a movement for working families, small businesses, and safer communities,” party chair Shasti Conrad said in a statement.
Reid Hoffman, Democratic megadonor, influential Silicon Valley insider, Seattle-area resident.
“I think the Biden campaign needs to show how strong the Biden presidency has been. That it's not just a debate,” Hoffman told Wired.
(Posted on Wired on July 11)
Mum’s the word
Sen. Maria Cantwell
Bob Ferguson, attorney general running for Washington state governor
The Puyallup Tribe: A major donor to the Biden Victory Fund last year. A spokesperson declined to comment on Tribe’s current position.
Rep. Derek Kilmer, 6th district
Rep. Kim Schrier, 8th district
Rep. Marilyn Strickland, 10th district
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