Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) became the second Democratic senator to call on President Joe Biden publicly to drop his bid for reelection on Thursday.
“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. “And while I appreciate his commitment to public service and our country, I believe President Biden should not seek re-election to another term.”
Tester is one of several battleground state Democrats up for reelection in the Senate. Vulnerable to a Republican challenger this November, Tester’s announcement comes after he called for Biden to prove to voters he was fit to lead the party earlier this month.
He joins Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) as the only two Democrats in the Senate to request their party’s presumptive presidential nominee step aside.
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However, 20 House Democrats have also asked Biden to withdraw, most notably Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), a key ally of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and a Senate candidate this November.
Biden’s campaign has seen major swings in recent months, most notably since his stumbling debate performance at the end of June. Subsequent gaffes have caused the president to lose even more support, and many are speculating that Biden will announce he is stepping down within the next week.
