Rep. Angie Craig, a Democrat from Minnesota, believes her party would have faced major losses in Congress if President Joe Biden had remained the candidate for the 2024 election. She predicts Republicans could have gained 30–40 House seats, including her own district.
Craig shared her concerns with NBC News, recalling how she lost confidence in Biden after his poor debate performance in June. “I realized Joe Biden couldn’t win,” she said, explaining why she publicly urged him to step aside as the Democratic nominee.
Craig was the fifth House Democrat and the first from a battleground district to ask Biden to step down. After Biden left the race, Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee, with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz chosen as her running mate.
Despite the leadership change, Democrats still lost control of the presidency, the Senate, and most key races. However, they gained one seat in the House, marking the smallest change in House history.
Looking back, some Democrats, including Biden himself, feel he could have defeated Trump if he had stayed in the race. This has reportedly caused tension between Biden and Harris, as well as debates within the party about future leadership and strategy.
Democrats now face a tough road ahead as Republicans hold a slim House majority, and the party continues to reflect on its election defeat.
