Former State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland), now a candidate for his old seat in the 38th Senate District, has issued a significant statement regarding the upcoming presidential race. He has called on President Joe Biden to “pass the torch” to a new candidate capable of opposing former President Donald Trump.
Reichlin-Melnick acknowledged Biden’s accomplishments, stating, “President Biden is a good man who has provided steady leadership as President at home and abroad—helping America recover from the COVID pandemic, tackle climate change, and invest in our infrastructure, while leading our allies in support of Ukraine and Israel. But the time has come for him to step aside as a candidate so either Vice President Harris or a candidate selected through a new, open process can lead the Democratic ticket and complete the work of rebuilding our economy, safeguarding our democracy, and strengthening American leadership abroad.”
He emphasized the high stakes of the upcoming election, noting the importance of having a candidate who can effectively communicate the dangers of a potential Trump return to power. “With the stakes as high as they are, we need a candidate who can effectively and successfully make the case to the American people of the catastrophic danger of returning Donald Trump to power when he shows contempt for the rule of law, admires our foreign adversaries, and openly aspires to be a dictator on day one of his administration. I’m grateful to President Biden for his decades of public service, but I urge him now to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders who can lay out a positive vision of a better future.”
Reichlin-Melnick’s statement reflects growing concerns among some Democrats about the 2024 presidential race.