Jul 19, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Sherrod Brown joins senators calling on Biden to step aside

Stephen Neukam

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), added his name to the list of lawmakers calling on President Joe Biden to bow out of the presidential race, saying he wanted to make sure the Nov. 5 election is focused on "issues Ohioans care about."

Why it matters: Brown, one the Senate's most vulnerable Democrats, is the latest Capitol Hill veteran to add his name Friday to the growing list of lawmakers publicly urging Biden to suspend his campaign.

Driving the news: "I've heard from Ohioans on important issues, such as how to continue to grow jobs in our state, give law enforcement the resources to crack down on fentanyl, protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts, and prevent the ongoing efforts to impose a national abortion ban," Brown said in a statement.

"These are the issues Ohioans care about and it is my job to keep fighting for them," he said, adding, "I agree with the many Ohioans who have reached out to me."
"At this critical time, our full attention must return to these important issues. I think the President should end his campaign."

The big picture: Vulnerable House Democrats have publicly called for Biden to step aside, but their counterparts in the Senate had held off until Thursday, when Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) called on Biden to withdraw.

Go deeper: Trio of Senate Democrats doubt Biden can win

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Sherrod Brown joins senators calling on Biden to step aside

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