Sen. Jon Tester on Thursday called on President Biden to step aside in the race for the White House, marking him as the second Democratic senator to call on the president to bow out.
Mr. Tester, Montana Democrat, said in a statement that while he has worked with Mr. Biden to benefit Montana, he has “never been afraid to stand up to him when he is wrong.”
“And while I appreciate his commitment to public service and our country, I believe President Biden should not seek re-election to another term,” Mr. Tester said.
His voice joins a growing chorus of congressional Democrats and donors who have publicly called on Mr. Biden to bow out of the presidential race following his dismal debate performance last month against former President Donald Trump.
He is the second Democratic senator, behind Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont, to call on Mr. Biden to exit the race.
Mr. Tester told the Daily Montanan that he wants an open nominating process that would allow the Democratic Party to select a nominee, rather than immediately throwing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, who is Mr. Biden’s constitutional successor and whose name has been heavily floated as a campaign replacement.
Mr. Tester’s position is also unique given the gravity of his reelection campaign.
The three-term senator is seeking a fourth term against aerospace millionaire Tim Sheehy, who was hand-picked by Sen. Steve Daines, Montana Republican, in a race that could determine control of the Senate.
Though Mr. Tester did not immediately endorse a replacement, the National Republican Senatorial Committee — the Senate GOP’s campaign arm — accused the lawmaker of supporting Ms. Harris.
“Jon Tester voted with Joe Biden 95% of the time, and he is now endorsing California radical Kamala Harris to continue that destructive agenda,” NRSC spokesperson Mike Berg said on X.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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