On Wednesday night, Peter Welch became the first Democratic senator to call for Joe Biden to drop out of the race via an Op-Ed in the Washington Post.
Welch, who serves Vermont, is a relatively new senator. He took office in January 2023, but had previously served as a member of the House of Representatives since 2007.
Welch wrote, in part, "I, like folks across the country, am worried about November’s election. The stakes could not be higher. We cannot unsee President Biden’s disastrous debate performance. We cannot ignore or dismiss the valid questions raised since that night."
The senator continued, "I deliver this assessment with sadness. Vermont loves Joe Biden. President Biden and Vice President Harris received a larger vote percentage here than in any other state. But regular Vermonters are worried that he can’t win this time, and they’re terrified of another Trump presidency. These are real concerns of regular voters who I’ve heard from recently — like a mom who counts on the child tax credit and seniors who rely on Medicare."
Welch did end his piece on a high note, writing:
"The good news is that President Biden has united the party and created a deep bench that can defeat Trump. Vice President Harris is a capable, proven leader, and we have other electable, young, energizing Democratic governors and senators in swing states. Not only do these leaders have experience running and winning in tough political environments, they also have fundraising networks, media experience, charisma, and the ability to inspire voters across generations and across our big tent."