Politics

House Democrat told Biden directly: Time to drop out

President Joe Biden with Rep. Mike Levin and his wife at a rally
Biden with Rep. Mike Levin and his wife at a 2022 rally in San Diego. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
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Rep. Mike Levin on Friday became the 18th House Democrat to publicly call on Joe Biden to drop out of the race

The California congressman said it directly to the president during a Congressional Hispanic Caucus call, according to several media reports.

Levin then issued a statement saying that "the time has come for President Biden to pass the torch," referencing feedback that he's received from constituents since Biden's disastrous debate against former President Donald Trump in June.

Levin represents a relatively competitive San Diego House district and campaigned alongside Biden in 2022.

The number of congressional Democrats calling on Biden to exit the race continues to grow by the hour: Five have done so just since the end of the president's press conference yesterday.

Though that press conference went smoothly overall, it is unlikely to assuage other Democrats who are concerned about their own reelection prospects.

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Bryan Metzger was a senior politics reporter covering Congress, money in politics, and their intersection with business and tech. He worked at Business Insider from July 2021 to May 2026.Previously, he covered money in politics and elections in his home state for New Mexico in Depth. He's also written for POLITICO Magazine.Featured works: