Pocan calls for Biden to exit presidential race

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan released a statement Friday calling on President Joe Biden to exit the presidential race. 

“I am so appreciative of what President Joe Biden has done for this country,” Pocan wrote on Twitter. “We need to move forward in a way that ensures Trump is never president. It’s time to pass the torch.” 

The statement labeled a “joint message to President Joe Biden” also included words from U.S Reps. Jared Huffman from California, Marc Veasy from Texas and Chuy Garcia from Illinois.

The statement reads in part, “At this point, we must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign.” 

It adds that these concerns “may not be fair” but pose a risk to the campaign's success. 

“Democrats have a deep and talented bench of younger leaders, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, who you have lifted up, empowered, and prepared for this moment. Passing the torch would fundamentally change the trajectory of the campaign,” the statement read.

Pocan’s statement comes as many congressional Democrats called for Biden to exit the race, including Rep. Adam Schiff from California, the most prominent member of the House of Representatives to do so thus far. In the Senate, two Democrats have called for Biden to exit. 

Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin said she has “relayed voter concerns” about the president's fitness for office to the White House.

"At the end of the day, that is the President's decision, and my focus is on working hard for the people of Wisconsin,” Baldwin said in a statement last week. The senator did not appear with Biden when he visited Madison on July 5.

The Democratic National Convention is set to take place next month in Chicago, with many eyes on who the nominee will be if Biden were to drop out. 

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