President Biden urged Democratic governors to back his candidacy during an over-hour-long meeting on Wednesday. However, following the session, most of the ten governors in attendance, including four leading potential replacements for Biden, did not publicly endorse him on the White House driveway, via Reuters.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, and Kentucky Gov. Andrew Beshear—considered top contenders if Biden, 81, decides not to run—were notably absent from the media session post-meeting. Despite their absence, some governors showed their support through social media. Whitmer tweeted, “@JoeBiden is our nominee. He is in it to win it and I support him.” Newsom echoed this sentiment, tweeting, “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.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul was one of the few gubernatorial allies to speak outside the West Wing, emphasizing the private support pledged to Biden. “We came together tonight to listen to President Biden to tell us, in his own words, what his plans were. I’m here to tell you today President Joe Biden is in it to win it. And all of us said we pledged our support to him because the stakes could not be higher,” Hochul stated.
Hochul highlighted the historical context, warning against a regression to tyranny. “We talked about how we transitioned under a monarchy and a tyranny that our Founding Fathers fought against and that we risk right now descending back into that very same place. We will stand with the president as we fight that force—that force being Donald Trump.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore also addressed reporters, affirming Biden’s commitment. “The president was very clear that he is in this to win this,” he said. Vice President Kamala Harris, a possible replacement for Biden, was also present. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz added, “Yes, he’s fit for office. Thursday night was a bad performance… but it doesn’t impact what I believe: he is deliberate”, told Daily Mail.
Other attendees who did not publicly support Biden included Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Delaware Gov. John Carney, and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Earlier that day, during a Medal of Honor ceremony for Civil War soldiers Philip Shadrach and George Wilson, Biden read carefully from teleprompters. His son, Hunter Biden, observed. Biden praised Shadrach and Wilson for their bravery during the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862, recounting Private Wilson’s final words: “He looked at the crowd and he said he believed they were wrong but he did not harbor hostility toward the people of the South.”
Despite the solemnity of the ceremony, Biden did not take questions afterward. The meeting with governors comes amid increasing calls from congressional Democrats for Biden to step aside and reports of his potential withdrawal if he fails to solidify his political standing.
The president’s staff has restricted press access during his administration, including the Medal of Honor event, initially denying a reporter from The Post. After inquiries, White House staff allowed attendance, highlighting ongoing tensions with the press corps.