Rep. Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City) said in a statement today that amid calls for President Joe Biden to step down as the Democratic nominee for president, he believes Democrats should instead focus on defeating former President Donald Trump.
“Yes, I have heard the concerns that have been raised over the last several weeks, and I urge the Biden campaign to continue to be transparent with the American people in the coming days, weeks, and months to alleviate any concerns,” Menendez said. “But we must remain focused on the mission at hand, which is to not just beat Donald Trump in November but to ensure a future that is reflective of our American values. And that is exactly what we will do.”
Menendez added that he has been and remains a strong supporter of the Biden administration, which he credited with delivering for his district on infrastructure funding and gun safety.
“This has been one of the most productive presidencies in American history,” he said. “We have a nominee today with a proven track record that any Democrat would be proud to run on.”
When approached yesterday by the New Jersey Globe for his thoughts on the presidential race, Menendez had declined to comment.
One New Jersey member of Congress, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), is among the small number of Democrats who have publicly called for Biden to step aside; another, Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown), said that he has concerns and that he’s still thinking through what he believes Democrats should do.
Biden, for his part, has emphatically insisted that he is remaining in the race after a debate performance against Trump that sent many Democrats into a panic. And he still has many staunch allies in New Jersey – one of whom, Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage, slammed Sherrill last night over her comments on Biden.