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Rep. Lloyd Doggett is first Democrat to publicly call for Biden to step down as party's nominee

  • Farnoush Amiri, The Associated Press

  • Canadian Press

  • July 2, 2024

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks to reporters about his support for New York Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman in a contested primary next week and the influence of big money SuperPACs, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A House Democratic lawmaker has become the first in the party to publicly call for President Joe Biden to step down as the Democratic nominee for president, citing Biden's debate performance failing to "effectively defend his many accomplishments."

Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas said in a statement Tuesday that Biden should "make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw."

"My decision to make these strong reservations public is not done lightly nor does it in any way diminish my respect for all that President Biden has achieved," Doggett said. "Recognizing that, unlike Trump, President Biden's first commitment has always been to our country, not himself, I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw. I respectfully call on him to do so."