LAKEWOOD, Colo. — U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) released a statement Friday morning calling on President Joe Biden to "please pass the torch."
Pettersen, who represents Colorado's 7th congressional district, said her statement was released "with deep appreciation and love."
"President Biden is a good man who has served this country faithfully and admirably over his decades of service," Pettersen said. "I had the privilege of being an organizer on his 2008 campaign, and he is a big reason I went down the path of public service myself. I have deep admiration and love for Joe Biden and all he has done for our country, which is why this decision is so painful, but my son and my constituents can't suffer the consequences of inaction at this critical moment."
"Joe Biden saved our country once, and I'm joining the growing number of people in my district and across the country to ask him to do it again," Pettersen wrote.
"Please pass the torch to one of our many capable Democratic leaders so we have the best chance to defeat Donald Trump, who is the greatest threat to the foundation of this country that we have ever faced."
"I want to thank President Biden from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of every resident of Colorado's 7th Congressional District," Pettersen said. "You have done so much for our country, and I know you will continue to do what's right for our future."
Biden held a solo news conference Thursday night, taking questions from the White House press corps.
The news conference was meant to reassure disheartened Democratic lawmakers, allies and persuadable voters in this year's election that Biden still has the strength and stamina to be president.
Biden has tried to defend his feeble and tongue-tied performance in the June 27 debate against Republican Donald Trump as an outlier rather than evidence that at 81 he lacks the vigor and commanding presence that the public expects from the commander in chief.
Thursday night, Biden made at least two notable flubs, referring at an event beforehand to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin" and then calling Kamala Harris “Vice President Trump” when asked about her by a reporter.
But he also gave detailed responses about his work to preserve NATO and his plans for a second term. And he insisted he's not leaving the race even as a growing number of Democratic lawmakers ask him to step aside.
“My schedule has been full bore,” he declared. “So if I slow down and I cant get the job done, that’s a sign that I shouldn’t be doing it. But there’s no indication of that yet — none.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.