Jul 11, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Dem Rep. Hillary Scholten calls for Biden to exit presidential race

Andrew Solender

Rep. Hillary Scholten, wearing a gray jacket and glasses and putting two fingers on her cheek during a committee hearing. — Rep. Hillary Scholten at a Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on Feb. 7, 2024. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images.

Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.) is joining the growing list of congressional Democrats calling for President Biden to end his bid for reelection.

Why it matters: Scholten is among a group of swing-district House Democrats concerned not only about the battle for the White House, but its impact on their races further down the ballot.

"We just have too much at stake in this election to sit on the sidelines and be silent while we still have time to do something," Scholten told The Detroit News.

Zoom out: Scholten is the eleventh Democratic member of Congress to call for Biden to drop out, joining nine House Democrats and Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.).

Several of the most recent statements have come from Scholten's fellow battleground district lawmakers: Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.).

What to watch: Lawmakers have told Axios that a poor performance by Biden at his NATO press on Thursday evening could result in even more calls for Biden to withdraw.

"We will shut up over the course of the weekend ... unless he blows it," said one House Democrat.

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Dem Rep. Hillary Scholten calls for Biden to exit presidential race

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