Tlaib opens up about why she hasn’t endorsed Biden yet | TheHill

Rep. Rashida TlaibRashida Harbi TlaibOn The Money: Congress set for brawl as unemployment cliff looms | Wave of evictions could be coming for nation’s renters | House approves 9.5B spending package Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib propose amendment to defund administration of ‘opportunity zone’ program Is Ilhan Omar one and done? Why she could lose the August primary MORE (D-Mich.) is opening up about why she hasn’t yet joined most members of her party in endorsing presumptive presidential nominee Joe BidenJoe BidenBiden to pay tribute to Lewis at Capitol on Monday Trump lashes out at Reagan Foundation after fundraising request Approval of Trump’s handling of coronavirus hits new low MORE.

In an interview with Newsweek published on Monday, the first-year lawmaker, who had previously endorsed Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersHarris seen as Biden VP favorite as clock ticks What’s lost if the parties abandon nominating conventions Is Ilhan Omar one and done? Why she could lose the August primary MORE (I-Vt.) in the 2020 presidential race, was pressed about why she hasn’t thrown her support behind the former vice president.

“He hasn’t directly called me or anything, but, no, right now I’m focused on my election, my constituents and my residents,” Tlaib told the outlet. “One thing that I know is I’m going to be really focused on turnout in the fall. When I focus on turnout, we will deliver Michigan to Joe Biden.”

“Trump only won Michigan by 10,000 votes. When I turn out my folks and my district, we’ll be able to take back the state. When you focus primarily on getting people out to vote in a district like mine, [Biden] wins,” she continued. 

Pressed further in the interview about why it’s difficult for her to endorse Biden in the coming race, Tlaib said, “Because I don’t want to get into a debate with my residents.”

“Residents come up to me and say, ‘Rashida, I don’t know. I hear Joe Biden this, Joe Biden that.’ I say, ‘Listen, do we need another four years of Trump? No. Then what I need you to do is go out there and focus on that,’” she said.

“If the ultimate goal is to get rid of Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpBiden to pay tribute to Lewis at Capitol on Monday Cotton called out for remarks on slavery in criticism of 1619 Project Congress set for messy COVID-19 talks on tight deadline MORE, that doesn’t have to involve me actually endorsing Biden,” Tlaib continued. “My constituents don’t need to be bogged down in, ‘Is he the best candidate?’ That’s not what you have to convince my residents. They need to come out in droves and be inspired by something. And that is going to be a vote against Donald Trump.”

The comments by Tlaib come as the Michigan Democrat gears up for a competitive primary early next month. She faces a challenge from Detroit City Council President and former Rep. Brenda Jones (D-Mich.), who has endorsed Biden for president.

Tlaib is one of two members of “the squad,” a quartet of progressive House lawmakers who joined Congress in 2018, who have yet to publicly back Biden in the presidential race. The other is Rep. Ayanna PressleyAyanna PressleyIs Ilhan Omar one and done? Why she could lose the August primary McCarthy says Ocasio-Cortez should accept Yoho’s apology Ocasio-Cortez, Democrats blast GOP on House floor for ‘culture’ of sexism MORE (D-Mass.), who previously backed Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenHarris seen as Biden VP favorite as clock ticks What’s lost if the parties abandon nominating conventions Charlamagne tha God rips Biden: ‘Shut the eff up forever’ MORE (D-Mass.).

The remaining members of the group, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezThe indomitable AOC Yoho resigns from board of Christian organization following confrontation with Ocasio-Cortez Democrats hope clash resonates with key bloc: Women MORE (D-N.Y.) and Ilhan OmarIlhan OmarThe Hill’s Campaign Report: Campaigns prepare for homestretch run to Election Day Is Ilhan Omar one and done? Why she could lose the August primary Progressive Caucus leaders demand Democrats pull homeland security bill MORE (D-Minn.), who also previously backed Sanders in the race, have thrown their support behind Biden.