Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine said Friday that President Biden’s news conference a day earlier was “a step in the right direction” toward allaying concerns about his age and mental acuity, but more would need to be done to reassure voters.

Rep. Chellie Pingree announces her reelection victory at Aura in Portland on Nov. 8, 2022. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer

In her first public statement on the turmoil roiling the Democratic party, Maine’s 1st-District congresswoman said in a written statement that Biden needs to do more to strengthen confidence that he can defeat Donald Trump this fall and serve another term in office.

“Joe Biden has been an exceptional president, driving transformational investments in climate and infrastructure, lowering drug prices for seniors, and rebuilding our economy from the middle out. His successes speak for themselves,” Pingree said.

“But I also recognize there are serious concerns about whether he is our strongest candidate to win in November and his ability to serve another term. Many of my constituents in Maine have voiced those concerns to me, and I am listening. President Biden’s news conference last night was a step in the right direction, but should he decide to stay in the race, the American people need assurances that he can defeat Donald Trump and build on his legacy in a second term.”

Pingree had spoken out previously about Biden’s debate performance two weeks ago that ignited calls from party activists, elected Democrats and donors for the Democratic incumbent to step aside and let somebody else take on Trump, whom Biden has described as a threat to democracy.

Until Friday, Pingree’s office and campaign staff had ignored repeated requests for interviews and questions about Biden’s viability.

Before Pingree released her statement, her Republican opponent, Ron Russell, of Kennebunkport, said Pingree should explain to her constituents where she stands on Biden’s candidacy, calling it a “pretty important question” affecting the future of the nation.

“I think the Democrats are playing their cards very close to the vest,” Russell said. “Some have come out and asked for him to turn down the nomination. I’m assuming Congresswoman Pingree is going to see which way the wind blows in that regard and follow suit. But I do think she should come out and let us know what she’s thinking.”

Russell said Biden should step aside and may not even be able to finish his current term in office.

CANDID CONVERSATIONS

Pingree said she is “continuing to have candid conversations with my colleagues and leadership about how we move forward.” One thing that unites Democrats, she said, is concern about the danger posed by a second Trump presidency, which she said “poses an existential threat to our Democracy.” She pointed to a suite of possible policy initiatives from conservative activists, which includes a national ban on abortion, dismantling the Department of Education and consolidating power in the executive branch.

Trump has tried to distance himself from the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 document, even though it was drafted by his supporters and some of his former aides.

“My focus remains on making sure (Trump and Republicans) do not succeed and on safeguarding the rights of people in Maine’s 1st District,” she said.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had reportedly urged Democrats to withhold public statements about Biden’s viability until after the NATO summit, which concluded Thursday with Biden holding a news conference and taking questions from reporters for about an hour.

Although he made a few gaffes, referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump,” Biden appeared to be in command of the details relating to foreign policy, while also batting away calls for him to step aside, saying he’s staying in the race as long as he has a chance of winning.

Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said in a letter to Democrats that he met with Biden privately after his news conference to express “the full breadth of insight, heartfelt perspectives and conclusions about the path forward that the caucus has shared in our recent time together.” He described the debate among House Democrats as “candid, clear-eyed and comprehensive.”

At least 18 House Democrats have now called on Biden to end his campaign, ABC News reported.

Rep. Jared Golden, Maine’s 2nd District congressman, riled fellow Democrats by publishing an Op-Ed on July 2 in which he said that he expects Biden to lose to Trump this fall, adding that he’s “OK with that.” He also downplayed claims that Trump represents a threat to democracy and vowed to work with him when it would benefit his constituents.

LEGITIMATE QUESTIONS

Golden also said in various interviews that he, like millions of Americans, has legitimate questions about Biden’s physical health and mental acuity to serve another four-year term.

“I will not vote for someone if I don’t think they are physically or mentally equipped to lead this nation,” Golden told Maine Public this week. “And I do not know the answer to that question at this time.”

A spokesman for Golden’s campaign said the congressman’s position was unchanged by Thursday’s news conference.

“He’s continuing to assess the situation in the calm and thoughtful manner that it deserves,” spokesman Mario Moretto said.

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, urged Biden to allay concerns from the debate by taking “take every opportunity in the coming days to establish his capacity to continue the campaign and the job of the presidency through unscripted interviews and direct interactions with voters.”

King joined a meeting with Senate Democrats and Biden representatives in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. A spokesperson said King would not comment about what was said in the room and referred a reporter to King’s original statement when asked if the meeting had any impact.

On Friday, a King spokesperson said the senator would continue to monitor Biden’s public appearances over the next few days, which includes an interview with “NBC Nightly News” on Monday.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins told the Press Herald that Biden’s debate performance was disastrous and sad.” But she declined to weigh in on whether he should stay in the race, saying that’s for Biden and Democrats to decide.

Staff Writer Rachel Ohm contributed to this report.