Prominent Democratic governors declined to say in several conversations with the New York Times whether there should be a broad age limit for the Democratic nominee for president in 2028, as issues over his age and mental fitness put an end to President Biden’s reelection efforts.
“It’s not a time of life, it’s a state of mind,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said told the New York Times, to suggest a specific limit would be ‘absurd’. Newsom had said in 2023, Biden’s age was not an issue.
With some exceptionsDemocrats generally defended Biden against attacks on his age or his ability to do the job ahead of his raucous debate performance against Donald Trump in June. About a month after the debate, Biden dropped out of the race; his replacement on the ticket, Vice President Kamala Harris, subsequently lost the election to Trump.
“When I was growing up, people at 65 were almost dead,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul told the newspaper. “I’m 65. I’m not almost dead.”
Democratic governors spoke to the New York Times about whether they believe there should be an age limit for the Democratic candidate for president in 2028. (Left: Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images, Center: (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images), Right: (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images))
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“I don’t have an age test,” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said. “The question is, are you in the game? Are you in the game? We have an incredible bench, and the bench is kind of a spectrum of ages.”
The Times report noted that the Democratic governors they spoke to were hesitant to criticize the president.
“There is no such thing,” New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said when asked if there should be an age limit for the 2028 nominee. Other Democrats did not hesitate to say Biden could not get their message across.
“With, you know, some of his, what seemed like his health issues, he just wasn’t someone who could powerfully deliver the message that we needed in a difficult election cycle,” Rep. Mikie Sherrill, DN.J., told the outlet. She said she favored a Gen X 2028 Democratic presidential candidate.
President Joe Biden speaks after pardoning the national Thanksgiving turkey Peach during a pardon ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, November 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper pointed out that Americans just “elected someone who is quite old,” referring to Trump, who at 78 years old is the oldest elected president ever. The previous record holder was Biden, who reached just under 78 when he won in 2020.
Voters repeatedly expressed concern about the age of the president before dropping out of the race. He turned 82 last month.
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Newsom, Grisham and Cooper are considered potential White House candidates for Democrats in 2028.
