Joe Biden is facing growing pressure to drop his reelection bid, with Democrats worried his presence on the ticket could cost them in down ballot contests.

New York is home to several of the competitive congressional districts that Democrats hope to flip in order to win back control of the U.S. House. However, polling shows Biden’s popularity in New York has sagged compared to 2020, prompting questions whether he might be a drag on Democrats in those key congressional races. 

But what if Biden were to pass the torch to someone else, such as his vice president, Kamala Harris? 

What You Need To Know

  • In New York, polling shows President Joe Biden’s popularity has sagged compared to 2020, prompting questions whether he might be a drag on Democrats in those key congressional races

  • But what if Biden were to pass the torch to someone else, such as his vice president, Kamala Harris? So far, there is little public polling on how her candidacy could reshape the race in New York’s key districts

  • North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who chairs the House GOP Conference, dismissed the impact of a swap at the top of the Democratic ticket
  • Biden continues to come under mounting pressure. Rep. Joe Morelle said Thursday Biden is trying to reassure voters after his debate, but doesn't think he's met that standard yet

Congressman Pat Ryan, who is defending a Hudson Valley swing district that Biden carried by roughly 9 points in 2020, became the first member of the New York congressional delegation last week to publicly call on Biden to step aside in favor of the “strongest candidate” to defeat Trump. He declined to name someone to fill Biden’s shoes.

In the case of Harris, so far there is little public polling on how her candidacy could reshape the race in New York’s competitive seats. 

North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who chairs the House GOP Conference, dismissed the impact of a swap, invoking how Biden deputized Harris to address the root causes of migration from Central America. 

“Kamala Harris is also a drag on all of the swing districts in New York State because of her failed, abysmal leadership on issues that she’s been assigned, like the border,” Stefanik said. 

One of those Republicans looking to hold onto a competitive seat —Nassau County Congressman Anthony D’Esposito — put it this way: “She is going to be running on the record of her and Biden. And that record is dismal.”

“I’m going to keep running this race exactly how I plan to, and that’s to focus on my record, focus on the issues and keep working as hard as I possibly can,” D’Esposito added.

Biden is coming under mounting pressure to step aside. 

On Wednesday, ABC News reported that the top Democrats on Capitol Hill — Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Charles Schumer — privately suggested to Biden he should step aside, conveying concerns his presence on the ticket could hurt down ballot candidates.

In Rochester Thursday, Rep. Joe Morelle said the voters he is hearing from are concerned, especially after the CNN debate. “I’m hopeful that the president is reflecting on this,” he said.

Several weeks back, on a private call with other House leaders, Morelle reportedly said Biden should drop out.

Biden is “working to try to rebuild and demonstrate to people that he can continue to function,” Morelle said Thursday. “I don’t think he’s met that standard yet.”

Mark Lucivero and Rachel Niemi contributed to this report.