After a letter posted to X on Sunday announced that President Joe Biden would not seek the Democrat nomination, Vice President Kamala Harris stands as the party’s presumptive nominee — without receiving a single primary vote or delegate this election cycle.
Before his withdrawal from the race and endorsement of Harris, the president had earned 3,896 pledged delegates, nearly double the amount required to clinch the nomination. Yet many lawmakers and political pundits have been calling for Biden to drop out of the race for weeks in the wake of his disastrous debate performance in June.
The Federalist reached out to all of the left-leaning lawmakers — 36 Democrats and one independent — who publicly called for Biden’s withdrawal and asked how they would ensure that their constituents’ voices were heard leading up to the Democratic National Convention.
Only two offices responded, while the other 35 failed to comment.
“I respect President Biden’s decision and believe it is the right thing to do for our country,” Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said in a statement. “Sharla and I thank him for his lifetime of public service and dedication to our great nation.”
The Senator’s staff clarified to The Federalist that he supports an open primary to select the nominee.
Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, directed The Federalist to a previous statement.
“I’ve had the time and discussions with my constituents, colleagues and others I needed before deciding on the Democratic nominee for President. I endorse Vice President Harris,” said Case.
Neither lawmaker commented directly on The
