Hobbs says Biden must 'assure Arizonans and Americans' he is fit for office

Gov. Katie Hobbs still won’t say whether she thinks President Joe Biden should remain the Democratic nominee for president, but she said she will vote for him if he decides to stay in the race.

Hobbs dodged questions from reporters when asked if she thinks Biden should drop out of the race. And she declined to comment on what was discussed or the president’s demeanor during a meeting Biden held with Democratic governors last week.

But Hobbs did say she thinks Biden is still capable of carrying out his duties as president.

“Joe Biden can do the job, and that's all I'm going to say about the situation,” Hobbs said.

And she said if both Trump and Biden are on the ballot, the choice is clear.

“I have one vote in this election, just like everyone else, and to me the choice is abundantly clear,” Hobbs said. “The guy who's going to uphold democracy and the guy who's trying to tear it down.”

But Hobbs did acknowledge that Arizona voters have serious concerns about Biden’s fitness for office due to his age and a poor debate performance against Trump.

“I know that Arizonans have been concerned about the president’s age,” Hobbs said. “And since the debate, I think those concerns are even more top of mind, and I think the president has a lot to do to assure Arizonans and Americans, and I know that he knows that that is his job over the coming weeks.”

Hobbs' comments come a week after Arizona Congressman Raúl Grijalva told the New York Times Biden should drop his reelection bid.

The Biden campaign has made it clear the president has no plans to drop out of the race in public statements and communications with voters.