Texas Rep. Doggett is first sitting Democrat to call for Biden to step down

By Jen Krausz on
 July 3, 2024

Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett has become the first sitting congressional Democrat to call for President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race following a dismal debate performance last week.

“I represent the heart of a congressional district once represented by Lyndon Johnson. Under very different circumstances, he made the painful decision to withdraw. President Biden should do the same,” Doggett said.

Doggett noted that “many Americans have indicated dissatisfaction with their choices in this election” and acknowledged that Trump could win the election if Biden remains in the race.

The lawmaker sees the time as ripe to replace Biden before the race goes any further, and insisted that Biden had done a good job as president despite economic woes and disastrous foreign policy such as the Afghanistan pullout.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) had to beg Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) over the weekend not to become the first high-profile member of Congress to defect from Biden, according to reports published in The Washington Post.

It seems like only a matter of time before the majority of Democrats follow Doggett's suit, however.