WASHINGTON—Governors who met with President Joe Biden at the White House on Wednesday expressed their support for him after their discussions about Democratic Party leadership.
“The governors have his back,” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, told reporters at the White House after the meeting.
“A path to victory in November is the number one priority, and that’s the number one priority of the president,” he said, adding that the conversation with President Biden was “honest.”
Some governors attended the meeting in person, while others participated virtually. Among those traveled to the White House were Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Vice President Kamala Harris was also in attendance.
The meeting occurred after a number of Democrat lawmakers, media organizations, and pundits called on President Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential election following his debate with former President Donald Trump last week.
Mr.. Newsom and Ms. Whitmer, who are frequently mentioned in media reports as potential successors to President Biden, expressed their support for the president.
“I heard three words from the President tonight—he’s all in. And so am I. @JoeBiden’s had our back. Now it’s time to have his,” Mr. Newsom wrote on X after the meeting.
“@JoeBiden is our nominee. He is in it to win it and I support him,” Ms. Whitmer stated.
Meanwhile, President Biden in a campaign email to supporters on Wednesday made it clear that he intends to stay in the 2024 race.
The emailed message echoed what the president reportedly told his campaign staff during an internal call the same day.
“So, let me say this as clearly and simply as I can: I’m running,” President Biden wrote in the email.
“I’m the Democratic Party’s nominee. No one is pushing me out. I’m not leaving, I’m in this race to the end, and WE are going to win this election.”
It was the first email since the June 27 debate that the Biden team had sent from the president to his supporters, using his words to state that he’s not caving to pressure. The email was sent as part of a campaign to raise more funds, primarily from grassroots donors.
When asked during a press briefing on Wednesday if President Biden was considering stepping down, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “Absolutely not.”
“The president is clear-eyed, and he is staying in the race. That is what the president has promised to do,” Ms. Jean-Pierre said.
To address concerns that arose following the debate, Ms. Jean-Pierre said the president also spoke this week with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), as well as Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.).
President Biden will travel to Wisconsin on July 4 for a campaign event, where he will sit down for an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos.
Next week, he will host the NATO summit in Washington. This year’s summit comes amid increased aggression from Russia and China. It also holds special significance as it marks the alliance’s 75th anniversary.
President Biden is planning to hold a press conference during the summit, the White House said.
