Democratic delegate considers nominating others over Biden

CATALINA FOOTHILLS, Ariz. (KGUN) — Democratic Congressman Raul Grijalva spoke to The New York Times and called on President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race.

“If he runs, I’ll support him, but I think this is an opportunity to look elsewhere. What he needs to do is take responsibility for keeping this seat, and part of that responsibility is to withdraw from this race,” he told the Times.

Larry Bodine, a resident of Foothills, is a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, tasked with voting for the party’s candidates. The presidential candidate must win a majority of the delegates’ votes.

However, Bodine is considering voting for someone other than Biden after his performance in the first presidential debate last week.

“A lot of them are very disappointed. Some are very angry and are looking for someone else to lead us to victory,” he said of the ordinary Democrats in the region he speaks with.

Bodine agrees with Grijalva that the party should consider other candidates, but he still supports Biden because of his experience.

“The Democrats have fantastic talent, but elections are about winning,” Bodine said. “If someone else were to take over, it would force Democrats to rethink everything. It could open up a lot of divisions.”

Some Foothills residents feel Grijalva’s statement is already divisive.

“He can think whatever he wants, but it will cause chaos everywhere,” Annette David said.

David lives in the Foothills and is a Democrat voting for Biden.

“The other choice doesn’t suit me at all,” she said.

Foothills Republican Paul Farris is voting for former President Donald Trump and said Grijalva’s statement was justified.

“I don’t think they have a good candidate who can beat Trump,” he said.

He said, however, that he was open to considering other candidates, even if they are Democrats.

“If the Republicans surprise me and put up a better candidate, I will consider that candidate. Even if the Democrats put up a good candidate, I will consider another candidate,” Farris said.

The White House has said President Biden has no plans to drop out of the race.

In the meantime, Bodine will continue to let people’s opinions guide his decision.

“I want to be extremely well informed when I go to vote,” he said.