WASHINGTON, D.C. — As President Joe Biden fights to save his candidacy, an Ohio congressman became the first Democrat from the state to publicly question whether Biden should remain atop the party’s national ticket.

Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, joined a small but growing chorus of Democrats voicing doubts about Biden’s fitness for office and chances of winning in November. Though Landsman did not explicitly call on Biden to drop out of the race, he said he was moving closer toward doing so.

“It’s his decision ultimately. I hope he makes the right decision, which is either he can do it and show us, or he can’t. And he needs to let us know,” he said Thursday.

Landsman is running for reelection in Ohio’s 1st District, which the Cook Political Report rates as competitive, though leaning two points more Democratic than the national average.

Another Ohio Democrat in a tough reelection race—Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, has expressed concerns about Biden at the top of the ticket. On a Wednesday press call Brown mentioned that Ohioans he had spoken with had “legitimate concerns” about whether the president should continue. However, Brown has repeatedly declined to call on Biden to step down. On Thursday he skipped a meeting with Senate Democrats and Biden campaign officials.

Meanwhile, Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, whose 3rd District leans heavily Democrat, has defended Biden’s candidacy.

“You get a handful of people who are voicing their opinion about how they feel. At this point, I’m not worried about that. People have a right to say what they’re saying,” Beatty said. “But I can tell you right now, I am very comfortable, and I am supporting President Biden.”

Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, has also said Biden should remain on the ticket.

The difference among the Ohio lawmakers suggests that Democrats in competitive races are more willing to publicly question Biden’s viability as a candidate, mirroring public opinion. Two-thirds of voters, including 56% of Democrats, say Biden should end his candidacy, according to a poll by Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos.

Other House Democrats in swing districts are avoiding taking any stance. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Ohio, who is facing a tough reelection race, has not commented publicly on Biden's candidacy.

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, said in an interview earlier this week that she had faith Biden would do his best for the country and would make the right the decision.

Some Republicans are weighing on the situation in the hopes that an unpopular Democrat at the top of the ticket will help down-ballot Republicans.

“Having Joe Biden in right now is the best thing for the Republican Party and President Trump, and everyone knows that. So I’m not going to advocate for President Biden to step down. I believe he should continue to stick this out,” said Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio.

Biden has so far rejected all calls to bow out of the race.

Correction: This article previously stated Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, hasn't taken a stance on President Joe Biden's candidacy. This story has been corrected to show Kaptur commented on his candidacy in a previous interview. (July 12, 2024)