What Arizona Democrats are — and aren't — saying about Joe Biden's candidacy
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Most Arizona Democrats are standing behind President Biden. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) made a splash last week as one of the first congressional Democrats to call on President Biden to withdraw from the presidential race, but his fellow Arizona Democrats aren't following suit.
Why it matters: Cook Political Report moved Arizona — one of six swing states expected to decide the presidential election — from "toss up" to "lean Republican" Tuesday amid growing voter skepticism over Biden's ability to serve.
- Some Democrats are worried Biden's candidacy could be a drag on down-ballot races, too.
The big picture: While a growing list of national Democrats voice concerns about the president's ability to win reelection following his debate performance, Arizona Democratic leaders are mostly staying faithful or keeping quiet.
The latest: U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, the presumptive Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, commented publicly Wednesday on Biden's future as the nominee for the first time since the debate, telling Business Insider's Bryan Metzger that Arizona voters "want to see proof that he's up for the job."
- Gallego dismissed concerns that Biden could hurt his race, saying, "We've always been running a strong race, and will continue to run a strong race.
Friction point: Gallego's likely Republican opponent, Kari Lake, had been quick to highlight his silence during the Biden debate fallout.
- "Arizona witnessed Joe Biden incoherently try to defend his failed policies," a new Lake campaign ad says while showing clips of the Biden-Trump debate.
- "Radical Ruben Gallego voted for every one of Biden's disastrous policies, 100% of the time," the ad continues.
Gov. Katie Hobbs on Wednesday said Biden "can do the job" but has "a lot to do to assure Arizonans and Americans," the Arizona Republic reported. She told reporters that whether the president should stay in the race is up to him.
- Hobbs would not comment on a call she joined with Biden and other Democratic governors last week.
The Democratic Mayors Association, of which Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego is president, released a statement Tuesday endorsing Biden following a call with the president.
The intrigue: The president did not directly address his age or fitness to serve another four years, per two people familiar with the call. It was more of a pep rally than a discussion, they said, and mayors could not unmute themselves to chime in.
U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly told reporters Monday "Joe Biden is our nominee" and said he believes the president will win in November.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, who sits on the Biden-Harris reelection campaign's National Advisory Board, said on X last week she is committed to helping the president win Arizona.
Secretary of State Adrian Fontes declined to comment on whether Biden should remain in the race, telling Axios, "That's entirely up to him."
Meanwhile, spokespeople for Democratic U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton and Democrat-turned-independent U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema did not respond to inquiries from Axios. Neither has made any public statements regarding Biden's candidacy.
What's next: All eyes will be on Biden's NATO press conference Thursday.