Campaign

Massachusetts governor calls on Biden to ‘carefully evaluate’ candidacy

by Lauren Irwin - 07/05/24 3:54 PM ET

FILE - Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey delivers her inaugural address in the House Chamber at the Statehouse moments after being sworn into office during inauguration ceremonies, Jan. 5, 2023, in Boston. On Thursday, Aug. 31, Healey activated up to 250 members of the Massachusetts National Guard to assist at shelters and hotels as the state struggles with a flood of migrants. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey delivers her inaugural address in the House Chamber at the Statehouse moments after being sworn into office during inauguration ceremonies, Jan. 5, 2023, in Boston. On Thursday, Aug. 31, Healey activated up to 250 members of the Massachusetts National Guard to assist at shelters and hotels as the state struggles with a flood of migrants. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) has called on President Biden to “carefully evaluate” his candidacy as concerns about his ability to win the election persist, despite his team insisting he won’t step aside.

In a statement obtained by NBC News, Healey said Biden saved democracy by winning the 2020 election, and that this year’s is “the most important election of our lifetimes.”

Healey was one of several Democratic governors to meet with the president Wednesday evening to discuss the future of the party after his lackluster debate performance a week prior that left many of his supporters in a panic.

Several governors released statements supporting Biden and his candidacy. Healey’s was less explicit.

“The best way forward right now is a decision for the President to make. Over the coming days, I urge him to listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump,” Healey said.

The Massachusetts governor, who took office in 2023 after nearly eight years as state attorney general, said she is committed to doing “everything in my power to defeat Donald Trump,” no matter what Biden chooses.

Healey’s fellow Massachusetts lawmaker, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), became the third House Democrat on Wednesday to publicly call on Biden to step down from the race.

Healey’s statements contrast those of other governors in the meeting and signal she is the first Democratic governor to suggest Biden should consider stepping aside to allow someone else the chance to beat former President Trump.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said those in the room “stand with him” and are “going to have his back.” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) echoed her colleagues online and said Biden “is our nominee. He is in it to win it and I support him.”

During the meeting, according to The New York Times, Biden told the governors he needs to get more sleep and work fewer hours, including no longer holding meetings or events after 8 p.m.

Biden’s debate performance sparked widespread worry among Democrats about not only his ability to beat Trump in the polls this fall, but also the 81-year-old’s ability to execute the role of president for another term.