President Biden has watched helplessly in recent weeks as a growing number of his supporters publicly expressed concern about whether the 81-year-old incumbent has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump a second time.
Since the president’s disastrous performance in the June 27 debate in Atlanta, a growing number of his skeptics have emerged, from news outlets and media figures to A-list celebrity supporters and even fellow Democratic politicians.
Manhattan Democratic Borough President Mark Levin made the worrying claim this week that he believes New York should be considered a “battleground state” in this election.
But nearly all of the New York Democrats up for re-election in November have so far voiced their support for the embattled president.
The Washington Post on Thursday asked New York House Democrats whether they plan to support Biden for president in 2024.
Here’s what they said:
Congressman Tom Suozzi – 3rd District (Long Island, Nassau, parts of Queens)
Suozzi is one of the few New York Democrats who not only did not respond to The Washington Post’s breaking news survey, but also has not made a public statement about whether he supports or opposes Biden’s continued candidacy.
Congressman Gregory Meeks – 5th District (Queens)
Meeks’ press office did not respond to an email from The Washington Post seeking comment on Thursday, but he voiced his support for the president on MSNBC on Monday. Speaking to host José Diaz-Balart“The president has done a great job. The only reason we’re having this conversation is because we had a terrible debate.”
Congressman Grace Meng – 6th District (Queens)
In response to an interview by The Washington Post, Meng said in a statement released on Monday: “Let’s focus on the work that remains and prepare to re-elect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in November and defeat Trump and the MAGA extremists.”
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez – 7th District (parts of Brooklyn and Queens)
Velazquez’s office instructed the Post to contact Velazquez’s campaign communications staff about X.
in statement “Joe Biden has been one of the most influential presidents in recent memory. I support Joe Biden. Now is the time to focus on winning reelection in November,” Velazquez said in a statement posted to the social media platform on Tuesday.
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries – 8th District (Bronx)
Jeffries has made several public statements defending the president in recent days. When asked at a press conference on Thursday whether he thought Biden was a disadvantage for Democrats in lower-level races, the House Democratic minority leader said: “I don’t think he’s a good candidate for the White House.no.”
At the same press conference, he said his recent conversations with Biden had been “frank, comprehensive and calm and ongoing.”
The Post left a voicemail at his office but did not immediately receive a response.
Congressman Yvette D. Clark – 9th District (Part of Brooklyn)
talk New York 1 “I’ve spoken to many of my constituents and, after consulting with them, my personal view is that they should continue to support the Biden-Harris ticket,” Clark said Wednesday.
Congressman Daniel Goldman – 10th District (Manhattan, parts of Brooklyn)
Goldman did not immediately respond to The Washington Post’s request for comment but has voiced its support for Biden. Posted on Monday X“Joe Biden is an outstanding president who has defended our democracy at home and abroad. The candidate who should be removed is a twice-impeached, convicted felon who has vowed to destroy our democracy,” they wrote.
Rep. Jerry Nadler – 12th District (part of Manhattan)
Nadler was one of four senior House Democrats who reportedly told their colleagues last week that they thought Biden should resign.
But Nadler later made an apparent about-face and voiced his support for the president. Speaking to a reporter“He’s our candidate and we’re going to support him.”
Congressman Adriano Espaillat – 13th District (part of Manhattan, Bronx)
Espaillat’s last public comments about Biden’s candidacy were on Monday, when he praised the administration’s work and made it clear he wanted Biden to continue on the campaign trail.
“I know Joe and have witnessed firsthand the progress we have made since he first took office. He was and is in good health, and I remain steadfast in my support of him,” the statement read.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – 14th District (parts of the Bronx and Queens)
The far-left Democrat is still healing from his failure to muster enough support to stop fellow “Squad” member Jamaal Bowman from losing his seat, but he told reporters on Monday he has no doubt Biden will remain the nominee.
“I’ve spoken to him many times. He has made it clear that he is in the race. This matter is resolved. Joe Biden is our nominee. He is not withdrawing from the race. He is in the race and I support him.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s press office did not immediately respond to an email from The Washington Post seeking a new endorsement.
Congressman Ritchie Torres – 15th District (part of the Bronx)
In a statement released Thursday, Torres offered limited, albeit reluctant, support for President Biden’s reelection bid.
He denied rumors that Biden had only had “one bad debate,” calling the reality we all face “evidence of a much deeper challenge.”
“If the president officially becomes the Democratic nominee, he will have no choice but to make the most of a complex situation. But there’s no point in denying the complexity,” he said bluntly.
Reached on Thursday, a spokesman for Torres told The Post that his letter about X “is all we can provide at this time.”
Congressman Pat Ryan – 18th District (Hudson Valley, Dutchess County, Orange County, and parts of Ulster County)
Although he is an outcast among his House Democratic colleagues, Ryan said in X He said Wednesday that he no longer believes Biden should be the party’s standard-bearer in this year’s presidential election.
“While Joe Biden is a patriot, he is no longer the best candidate to defeat Trump. In the interest of our nation, I am calling on Joe Biden to step down so he can fulfill his promise to be a bridge to a new generation of leadership.”
Ryan represents the 18th Congressional District (a battleground district) and is facing a challenge from Republican Allison Esposito.
Rep. Paul Tonko – 20th District (parts of Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga and Rensselaer counties)
Tonko’s press office said it would not comment, and Biden has not made a public statement about his status as the 2024 Democratic nominee.
Rep. Joseph Morrell – 25th District (Rochester Area)
Along with Nadler, Morell is one of the House Democrats’ most senior members and reportedly told colleagues last week that he believes Biden should resign.
But he has since made a number of neutral statements about whether he would support Biden’s continued candidacy. Speaking to a reporter“So, do the American people have confidence that you have the capacity to run for office and, more importantly, can you continue in the presidency? I think that’s the challenge. I don’t think he’s overcome that challenge yet. He needs to keep trying.”
The Post left a voicemail at his office on Thursday.
Congressman Tim Kennedy – 26th District (Buffalo, Niagara Falls and surrounding counties)
Speaking to Buffalo radio station WBEN, Kennedy voiced his support for Biden, praising his administration’s accomplishments and criticizing Trump, who has been convicted of 34 felonies.
“President Biden is our party’s nominee at this point and will be our nominee in November, but we’re going to support him 100 percent because we know he’s not only up to the job, but he’s going to get the job done, just like he’s done for the last four years, which is to lead America in a direction that’s good for working families.”
His office did not respond to an email from The Post on Thursday.
— Additional reporting by Anita Ball
