House Democrat told Biden directly: Time to drop out

"I believe the time has come for President Biden to pass the torch," Rep. Mike Levin said in a statement on Friday.

• On Friday, Rep. Mike Levin became the 18th House Democrat to call for Biden to drop out.
• The California Democrat reportedly said it directly to Biden during a call with other lawmakers.
• Levin issued a statement saying that "the time has come for President Biden to pass the torch."

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.