Mayor Ron Nirenberg joins call with President Biden
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San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg joined President Joe Biden's call with a large group of Democratic mayors Tuesday night.
Why it matters: The mayor is playing a key role as the president tries to drum up support following continued scrutiny over his poor debate performance and calls to drop out of the presidential race.
- Nirenberg has stood by Biden's side even as other Democrats have questioned him.
The latest: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday that "we're all encouraging" Biden to make a final decision on whether he will continue his re-election bid.
State of play: The president did not directly address his age and fitness to serve another four years, according to 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.
- Afterward, the White House pushed the mayors' offices to publicly post their support on X. Many obliged, including Nirenberg.
Zoom in: Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego moderated and selected questions from mayors, including one from Nirenberg, the New York Times reported.
- Nirenberg asked about the fight for democracy, per the NYT, and thanked Biden for increased law enforcement funding during the pandemic.
What they're saying: "As a @DemMayors board member and a major city mayor that actually served during the Trump administration, the choice is clear," Nirenberg wrote on X after the call. "I'm standing with Biden-Harris because they know that mayors — and cities — matter."
Flashback: Other Texas Democrats — like former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin — last week called on Biden to withdraw.
- Nirenberg stuck with the president then too, posting about Biden policies like rental assistance that benefited San Antonio.
- The mayor has also backed Biden on his immigration policies, standing alongside him twice this year — most recently for changes, like asylum limitations, criticized by many Democrats.
Between the lines: Nirenberg has long been seen as a potential Cabinet nominee for Biden should the president be re-elected.
- His fourth and final term as mayor concludes in May 2025.