The Democrat representing a battleground district in Michigan became the 10th House member affiliated with the president to call for an end to President Biden’s reelection effort on Thursday.
Rep. Hillary Scholten, who represents Grand Rapids and Muskegon, said in a statement that Biden “must step aside from the presidential race and allow new leadership to emerge.”
The 42-year-old, who flipped the district held by Republican Peter Meyer in 2022, added that she would “respect” Biden’s decision if he chooses to remain in the race, and if that happens, she would “still vote for him as the clear and necessary alternative to Donald Trump.”
“Given the challenges facing our country in 2025 and beyond, it is essential that we have the strongest possible candidate at the top of the ticket, not just to win but to govern,” she said, adding: “Joe Biden has been that leader for a long time, but this isn’t about the past, this is about the future. It’s time to pass the baton.”
Scholten becomes the 11th Democrat to call on Biden to withdraw, joining Sen. Peter Welch (Vermont), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (Texas), Rep. Raul Grijalva (Arizona), Seth Moulton (Massachusetts), Rep. Mike Quigley (Illinois), Rep. Angie Craig (Minn.), Rep. Adam Smith (Washington), Rep. Mickey Sherrill (New Jersey), Rep. Pat Ryan (New York) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Oregon).
