U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum is the second Democrat in Minnesota’s congressional delegation to call on President Joe Biden to drop out of the campaign and allow another candidate to take his place.

In a statement released Friday, McCollum, who has represented St. Paul and the east metro for more than two decades, said Biden should step aside. She joins a growing chorus of Democrats calling for a new presidential nominee as doubts grow about the 81-year-old Biden’s age and fitness for office.

“Winning in November and defeating Trump’s dangerous, hate-filled agenda must be Democrats’ sole focus,” McCollum said. “To give Democrats a strong, viable path to winning the White House, I am calling upon President Biden to release his delegates and empower Vice President (Kamala) Harris to step forward to become the Democratic nominee for President.

McCollum said delegates to the Democratic National Convention in August should consider adding Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to the ticket, citing the need for a “strong Midwestern running-mate.”

Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., speaks before President Joe Biden at the Earth Rider Brewery, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Superior, Wis.  (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A growing number of Democratic members of Congress are calling for the president to step aside and allow the vice president to take his place in the race. As of Friday afternoon, more than 30 had called for Biden not to drop out.

McCollum is the second member of Minnesota’s congressional delegation to call on Biden to end his reelection bid. Democratic Rep. Angie Craig, who represents the south Twin Cities suburbs, called on Biden to step aside earlier this month.

Dean Phillips, who represents the west metro suburbs and attempted to run for president himself, has not called on Biden to step aside, though he has said he believes the president is too old to run for a second term.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith have not called for Biden to step aside. U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, who represents a district that includes Minneapolis, has been a vocal supporter of Biden.

Walz has not called for Biden to step down and has been a vocal supporter of the president — even as concerns grew about Biden’s poor performance in his June debate with Donald Trump.

After a meeting of Democratic governors at the White House earlier this month, Walz said he believed Biden was “fit for office.”

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