EVERETT — Nearly a dozen U.S. House Democrats have called on President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race. Still, Snohomish County’s representatives in Congress are standing behind him.
The presidential debate late last month sparked widespread concerns in the Democratic Party about Biden’s ability to run and win the election in November.
Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, was on a call Sunday with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other senior Democrats where four House members “forcefully” called on Biden to drop out of the race, according to Politico.
Rep. Adam Smith, who represents south Seattle, was one of the four urging Biden to reconsider his candidacy. Smith is the first member of Congress from Washington to call on the incumbent president to step aside.
“That candidate must be able to clearly, articulately, and strongly make his or her case to the American people,” Smith wrote in a statement Monday. “It is clear that President Biden is no longer able to meet this burden.”
Larsen “voiced concerns” on the call, according to Politico, but didn’t call on Biden to step down.
On X, Larsen responded to the report, writing that he wasn’t part of the “Dump Biden” movement, despite being on the call.
“Never spoke to @politico and not all members shared the same concerns. I certainly do not want to be lumped in with the few members calling for the Prez to step down,” Larsen wrote.
The concerns he voiced were those he heard from colleagues, he added.
“I’m on Team Biden,” Larsen continued.
Across the county, Rep. Suzan DelBene, who represents a swath of central Snohomish County from Bothell to Arlington, also expressed her commitment to supporting Biden.
“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,” DelBene told Semafor this month.
DelBene serves as the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, working to recruit and help Democrats get elected to the House. As the minority party in the House, Democrats are looking to regain control of the chamber in November.
“Our candidates are authentic leaders with proven records,” she said, “and I remain confident Democrats will retake the majority.”
A spokesperson for Rep. Kim Schrier, who represents east Snohomish County, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
In a letter to House Democrats on Tuesday, Biden affirmed his dedication to staying in the race, urging them to back him to prevent former President Donald Trump from reclaiming the Oval Office.
”Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us,” Biden wrote. “It is time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.”
Jenelle Baumbach: 360-352-8623; jenelle.baumbach@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @jenelleclar.
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