SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The top Democrats in Illinois say they are supporting President Joe Biden's campaign. However, Gov. JB Pritzker and Sen. Dick Durbin have concerns about the current state of the presidential race.

Pritzker told reporters this week that he is all in for Biden. Although, the governor said he initially thought Biden was too slow to return to public events and show the American people why he deserves a second term.

"I think now, more and more he's been out there," Pritzker said Wednesday. "He's talking to the public. He's talking to reporters. That's what we need him to do. Remember, he also went to the NATO summit. It's very important to represent the strength of the United States at the NATO summit, something, by the way, that Donald Trump wants to do away with."

Pritzker was also caught on a hot mic Wednesday afternoon saying he doesn't like "where we are" in relation to the presidential race. Reporters in East St. Louis asked the governor to explain his comment Thursday. Pritzker explained he was referring to the fact that Biden is behind Trump in polls. 

President Joe Biden

Gov. JB Pritzker told reporters this week that he is all in for Biden. Although, the governor said he initially thought Biden was too slow to return to public events and show the American people why he deserves a second term.

Yet, Pritzker also said no one should denigrate people asking questions about Biden's candidacy right now. He stressed that it is a totally reasonable thing to do. Still, some wonder if it is time for the president to end his re-election campaign and support another Democrat.

"I think we would have an excellent chance with any Democrat, except that Joe Biden is the one who's proved over 50 years that he is a patriot," Biden said. "He's somebody who believes in the working families of America and he's delivered for them." 

This all comes a month before the Democratic National Convention kicks off in the Windy City. Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson is unequivocally backing the president, stating that Biden is ready, willing and able to take on former president Donald Trump.

Pritzker and Johnson stressed Wednesday that Trump cannot return to the White House.

"He would sign a ban on abortion that would effect everybody in the state of Illinois, not to mention the city of Chicago," Pritzker said. "He would also be bad for working families. He wants to put tariffs in place. You know what that would do? Massive inflation."

Meanwhile, more members of Congress are coming forward each day to say Biden should drop out of the race. 

Durbin told WAND News that it remains to be seen if Biden should still be the party's nominee.

"We need to know, many of us in the Democratic party, that our nominee has a plan to win," Durbin said. "Defeating Donald Trump and keeping control of the Senate and winning control of the House is our priority. We need to know that that strategy is going to work with President Biden."

Pritzker is scheduled to appear at Democratic events in Indiana and Ohio this weekend as a Biden surrogate. The Indiana Democratic Party's Hoosier Hospitality Dinner is Friday and Pritzker will speak at the Ohio Democratic Party's Family Reunion with Sen. Cory Booker on Saturday.

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