WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Representative Adam Schiff, a California Democrat who is running for the Senate, warned donors in a private meeting that his party was likely to suffer major losses if President Joe Biden continued his reelection campaign, the New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing two unnamed sources.
"I think if he is our nominee, I think we lose," the Times reported, citing a person with access to a transcription of a recording of the event, a Saturday fundraiser in New York. "And we may very, very well lose the Senate and lose our chance to take back the House."
A spokesperson for Schiff's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
At least 19 congressional Democrats have publicly called for Biden to end his campaign after a halting performance in a debate against former President Donald Trump last month, even as Biden has repeatedly vowed to stay in the race.
Republicans currently hold a 220-213 majority in the House, while Democrats have a 51-49 Senate majority.