Tester becomes second Senate Democrat to call for Biden to step aside

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who is locked in a tight reelection bid, on Thursday became the second Senate Democrat to call for President Biden to withdraw from the presidential race.

“Montanans have put their trust in me to do what is right, and it is a responsibility I take seriously. I have worked with President Biden when it has made Montana stronger, and I’ve never been afraid to stand up to him when he is wrong,” Tester said in a statement.

“And while I appreciate his commitment to public service and our country, I believe President Biden should not seek re-election to another term.”

The Daily Montanan first reported the news.

Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) was the first Senate Democrat to call on Biden to exit the race.

Tester is vying for a fourth term in Montana as one of two Senate Democrats running for reelection in a state Donald Trump handily won in 2020. 

The Montana Democrat is running against Republican Tim Sheehy, and the nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Tester's seat a "toss up."

Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), who hails from a safe Democratic district, also called on the president to exit the race in his own statement on Thursday.

“President Biden has been an incredible President who has led this country back to strength after the Pandemic. I am proud of the work we have done to pass monumental legislation that is leading to the first real investments in our communities in decades," he said. 

"But for the good of the country, I think it is time for the President to pass the torch to the next generation to carry on the legacy he started," he continued. "Democrats need to unite and deliver their strongest team to the American people in this election.”

During an interview with MSNBC on Thursday, Biden-Harris campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond pushed back against Tester's remarks, saying that while he liked the Montana Democrat, he was "wrong."

"Look, I like Senator Tester, I think he's one of our great fighters in the Democratic Party. But on this I will tell you, I think he's wrong. And I think that we should be focused on reelecting the president and the vice president, and our senators and our congresspeople should be running their race to get reelected," Richmond said.

"There's a lifetime between now and Election Day. And if we focus on what we should, we'll come out on top."

Both the president and his campaign have remained adamant that the president is running for reelection even as speculation has swirled over his next moves, even taking to the platform X to push back against reporting by different news outlets over the matter.

Still, Tester’s statement in particular is the latest blow – though not surprising -- to Biden, who is struggled to quell dissatisfaction and worries from within his party over his candidacy following his June 27 debate performance. 

Close to a dozen House Democrats have called on the president to exit the race, and now, two Senate Democrats. 

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who is running for California Senate and is widely expected to win in November, also notably called on Biden to leave the race this week. 

All eyes are now turning to Biden as Democrats wait to see how the president forges onward. 

Updated: 10:56 p.m. ET