Colorado Rep. Brittany Pettersen Calls on Biden to Drop Re-Election Bid
Freshman Democratic Representative Brittany Pettersen of Colorado has asked President Joe Biden to relinquish his bid for re-election. Rep. Pettersen is the first member of Congress from Colorado to make such a recommendation.
“Joe Biden saved our country once, and I’m joining the growing number of people in my district and across the country to ask him to do it again. Please pass the torch to one of our many capable Democratic leaders so we have the best chance to defeat Donald Trump, who is the greatest threat to the foundation of this country that we have ever faced,” Pettersen stated in a press release.
A Difficult Decision
In conversations, Rep. Pettersen has indicated that she has found it difficult to make this decision because she believes that President Biden is “a genuinely good human who’s done so much for our country.” She cited her history of working as an organizer for the Obama-Biden campaign in 2008, “he’s meant a lot to me personally”, as a testament to her respect and admiration for the President.
However, she maintains that it was “a right and clear decision.” She said that the greatest threat the nation faces is another Trump presidency and it is critical to take preemptive action now to avoid negative consequences for her constituents and her son.
Other Democrats Join the Call
Rep. Pettersen’s declaration underlines a rising number of Congressional Democrats who have publicly urged President Biden to pass the torch. Members such as Reps. Ed Case, Greg Stanton, Bradley Schneider, Hillary Scholten, Jim Himes, Scott Peters, and Eric Sorensen all made similar requests this week.
Situation in Colorado
Reflecting on this issue, Colorado Senator Michael Bennet voiced his concerns about the trajectory of the presidential race. “Donald Trump is on track, I think, to win this election and maybe win it by a landslide and take with him the Senate and the House,” he said . However, Bennet did not explicitly call on Biden to step aside.
Meanwhile, other Colorado Democrats have reiterated that Biden is the nominee and the choice to stay in the race is his to make. Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo, who currently holds the state’s only toss-up seat, has said she’s focused on her race.
Treading Cautiously
The tricky situation Democrats find themselves in was highlighted by Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi during a TV interview this week. “It’s up to the president to decide if he is going to run. We’re all encouraging him to make that decision, because time is running short,” she said.
Sen. John Hickenlooper advocated patience with the President’s decision, stating, “Joe Biden is a fighter and the more you attack him, the more dug in he’ll get. And I think part of the process is to give him space to really, you know, reconsider… what is best for the country.”
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
