U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan became on Wednesday the eighth Democratic member of Congress to call on President Joe Biden to end his campaign for re-election. Ryan, a former Ulster County executive represents the southern two-thirds of Ulster County — including Kingston — all of Orange County and parts of Dutchess.

On Wednesday, just after noon, Ryan posted to the social media platform X: “Trump is an existential threat to American democracy; it is our duty to put forward the strongest candidate against him. Joe Biden is a patriot but is no longer the best candidate to defeat Trump. For the good of our country, I am asking Joe Biden to step aside — to deliver on his promise to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders.”

Ryan’s statement comes 13 days after Biden’s catastrophic performance in a debate with former President Donald Trump prompted intense anxiety among Democrats about his mental acuity and ability to prevail in November’s general election and two days after Biden, in an effort to shore up rapidly eroding support, sent a letter to the House Democratic Caucus indicating that he had no intention of leaving the race.

Yesterday, Alison Esposito, Ryan’s Republican opponent in the race for New York’s 18th Congressional District, demanded that he take a stand on the issue of Biden’s fitness for office. “It is long past time for Pat Ryan to find a backbone and be honest with Hudson Valley voters about what is truly happening,” Esposito said in a statement Tuesday. “Biden is unfit to serve as President, and instead of recognizing the truth, Ryan continues to be a rubber stamp for Biden’s failed policies and acts as if nothing is wrong.”

Ryan, a Kingston native and Iraq War veteran, faces what is expected to be a tough re-election fight against Esposito. Among the most vocal proponents of replacing Biden at the top of the ticket are members of Congress in vulnerable swing districts like Ryan’s who fear that a poor showing by the incumbent against Trump will have a ripple effect on down-ballot races, allowing Republicans to regain control of the Senate and widen their majority in the House.