Politics & Government
Eric Sorensen Becomes 3rd Illinois Congressional Democrat To Call For Biden To Drop Out
The former Rockford TV meteorologist is in his first term representing the 17th Congressional District.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen has become the third Democratic member of Congress from Illinois to call for President Joe Biden to stop running for four more years in the White House.
In a statement late Thursday following the president's news conference at a NATO meeting, in which Biden demonstrated an ability to articulate his administration's policies while nonetheless mixing up the names of his adversaries and allies, Sorensen said he was "hopeful President Biden will step aside in his campaign for President."
Sorensen, who is seeking a second term in Illinois' 17th Congressional District in November, said Biden was a good man who has spent most of his life in public service devoted to expanding the middle class and opportunity for everyone.
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"In 2020, Joe Biden ran for President with the purpose of putting country over party. Today, I am asking him to do that again," Sorensen said.
"It is more important than ever that our neighbors have a candidate for President who will communicate a positive vision for every person in this country," he said. "Someone who can demonstrate the strength and wisdom needed to lead us through the worst storms. A leader who will stand up to the present threats against democracy."
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Sorensen's call for Biden's withdrawal follows those of Chicago Rep. Mike Quigley and north suburban Rep. Brad Schneider.
Both represent less competitive districts than Sorensen, a former TV meteorologist from Rockford who became the first openly gay member of Congress in state history.
Four years ago, Biden won Quigley's district by 44.1 percentage points, Schneider's by 22.4 points and Sorensen's by 7.3 points.
Retired Rockford Judge Joe McGraw, Sorensen's Republican opponent in the fall, called the freshman Democrat's statement about Biden a "desperate attempt to save his seat."
Sorensen told WGLT that he did not consider the move to have been a political one.
"Going forward," he said, "I just really think now is the time to put forth a leader that is going to be able to serve all the way through January 2029."
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