Michigan Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin called for a “new generation” and “new blood” in the Democratic Party when asked about President Joe Biden’s possible re-election campaign while offering her support if he decides to run.
Appearing on NBC’s “Meet The Press” Sunday, guest host Kristen Welker pressed the Democrat on her support for the president amid questions regarding Biden’s 2024 plans.
“I have been very vocal, including with my own leadership in the House, that we need a new generation and we need new blood, period, across the Democratic Party, in the House, the Senate, and the White House,” Slotkin said, adding, “I think that the country has been saying that.”
Her comments come as questions regarding the president’s re-election plans have been raised in recent months. Biden has yet to formally announce his intent to pursue a second term, although Al Sharpton claimed last week that Biden told him he was planning on running.
WATCH: When asked whether she’d support Biden in 2024, @RepSlotkin (D-Mich.) brings up the need for “new blood” in the Democratic Party.
“If the sitting president decides to run, we are going to support him. … But I think we need new leaders.” pic.twitter.com/ODtPkLbA7e
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) October 9, 2022
“He’s the sitting president. If he decides to run again, I’m going to support him, the party’s going to support him. That has a long history in our country,” said Slotkin.
Biden, 79, would be the oldest person re-elected as president if he were to win another term in 2024, starting the second term at 82 years old. Since taking office, questions regarding Biden’s cognitive health have been growing. Last month, he raised eyebrows when asked whether he would run again, saying it was his intention, but that it “remains to be seen.”
The oldest serving member of Congress is Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), at 89 years old, while the eldest member of the House is Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), at 86. Both women were first elected in 1992.
Slotkin added that she was one of a small group of Democrats who had not voted for Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as House Speaker, saying, “I would love to see new leaders. I would love to see some midwestern leaders in there, right? That’s been important to me, is, reflect the middle of the country, we’re here too. But, I do think new blood is a good thing.”
Similar comments have come from former Missouri Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, who said last month, “All of our leadership – and I say this as somebody who’s ancient – you know, a lot of old folks are running the Democratic Party now in every part of the Democratic Party.”
A CBS News Poll released last month found that 73% of respondents were in favor of maximum age limits for elected officials. 71% of Democrats support limits, while 75% of Republicans and independent voters were in favor. 40% of respondents agreed that 70 years old should be the maximum age limit, while 18% thought that over 80 was too old, and just 2% thought 90 should be the limit.
Slotkin is campaigning against Republican Tom Barrett, who currently serves as a Michigan state Senator, for the newly drawn 7th District. Slotkin currently represents Michigan’s 8th congressional district.
