Senator Jon Tester of Montana, a Democrat, called for President Joe Biden to not seek re-election, becoming the second Democratic senator to do so. Tester, currently running for re-election in a vulnerable Senate seat, stated that he has worked with Biden to benefit Montana but will also stand up to him when needed. Following Tester’s announcement, Rep. Jim Costa of California also called on Biden to step aside, emphasizing the need to pass the torch to the next generation. A total of 22 congressional Democrats have now urged Biden to exit the race. Tester informed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of his plans before making a public statement. This comes after Tester previously expressed concerns about Biden’s ability to serve another term. The Biden campaign defended the president’s commitment to staying in the race, with co-chair Cedric Richmond stating Tester was wrong in his assessment. Tester’s Republican challenger criticized him for changing his tune on Biden’s capabilities. Despite the calls for him to step aside, Biden has reiterated his intention to run for re-election. The situation underscores divisions within the Democratic Party regarding Biden’s candidacy, as some believe a change in leadership is necessary for the party to strengthen its position in the upcoming election.
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Senator Jon Tester urges President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race
