Biden Should Step Down From Presidency, Says NJ-3 Congress Candidate

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — The Congressional candidates in New Jersey's 3rd District found common ground in commending President Joe Biden for dropping out of the election. But one candidate says the president shouldn't finish his term.

President Biden announced Sunday that he would suspend his re-election campaign, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement.

Democratic leaders around the nation praised his decision to step down, while several prominent Republicans — including former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance — have cited it as evidence that he's not fit for the presidency.

The candidates in NJ-3's House race — featuring Assembly Member Dr. Herb Conaway, a Democrat, and Republican Dr. Rajesh Mohan — largely mirrored this trend. They are running to succeed Rep. Andy Kim, a Democrat running for senator.

Kim, who expressed concerns about President Biden's re-election chances earlier this month, commended the president for dropping out of the race. He also endorsed Harris.

Mohan joined the chorus of Republicans stating that President Biden should not finish his term.

"If President Biden is unfit to campaign, he is unfit to serve the country as President," Mohan said. "I respect his decision not to seek re-election. However, running the greatest country on the planet is not a walk in the park."

President Biden's decision came weeks after a June 27 debate in which he often trailed off and gave nonsensical responses. His performance sparked dissent within his own party and questions of the 81-year-old's fitness to effectively campaign and serve another four years in the Oval Office.

He would have been the oldest presidential nominee in U.S. history. Trump, 78, holds that title as the Republican nominee.

Mohan claimed that Democrats hid President Biden's "frailties."

"People deserve better than Career Politicians Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Herb Conaway" Mohan said in a statement, "who have been dishonest with the people hiding the frailties of Joe Biden and supporting indicted politicians Bob Menendez and Democrat party boss George Norcross."

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was convicted last week in a federal bribery trial. Several Democratic leaders called for the longtime senator to resign after he was indicted, while additional officeholders did the same after he was convicted.

Norcross, a powerful Democratic Party boss in New Jersey politics, was indicted for racketeering and other corruption charges last month. He and his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Mohan, however, did endorse Trump in the Republican primaries days after a jury found the former president guilty of all 34 charges in a hush-money scheme to influence the 2016 election.

"Please go Vote Column 4 and let's beat the democrats in November," Mohan's campaign wrote on Facebook, referencing the GOP candidates, including Trump, endorsed by the Monmouth County Republican Party.

Conaway, meanwhile, praised President Biden's decision to end his re-election campaign.

"Joe Biden is a man of integrity, decency, and true public service," Conaway said in a statement. "The President's decision to pass the torch to the next generation is deeply courageous and selfless. I look forward to strongly supporting our nominee who will stand up to Donald Trump and bring us together."

Conaway did not endorse anyone for the Democratic nomination, which remains murky weeks ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which is Aug. 19-22.

Kim, meanwhile, endorsed Harris as President Biden's replacement.

"Her candidacy is historic," Kim said in a statement, "not just the opportunity to elect the first woman, the first AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) President, and a Black woman, but to continue on the incredible progress we’ve started. The time to unify is now. The stakes are high. Let’s move forward together."

New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District includes most of Burlington County and parts of Mercer and Monmouth counties.