SANTA ANA, Calif. — Rep. Mike Levin, D-Dana Point, Friday called on President Joe Biden to step aside as the party's candidate for the White House, but Rep. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, emphatically continued his support for Biden's re-election.

In a statement, Levin said, "Like so many of you, I was naturally concerned about President Biden's performance in the recent debate," referring to the tipping point that has led to many other elected leaders in Washington to call for the president to suspend his re-election campaign.

"Since then, I've made my opinions known in the appropriate manner with House Democratic leadership and my colleagues," Levin continued. "And I called upon all Americans to give the president a window to make an expeditious decision about his candidacy."

But despite praise for Biden as an "outstanding leader," and his "deep respect" for the president's decades of public service, the congressman said he believed it was time for Biden to "pass the torch."

Levin added, "We must prevail against the incalculable threat Donald Trump poses to the American institutions of freedom and democracy. Donald Trump actively seeks a bleak authoritarianism and the overthrow of the values which have guided us towards justice and prosperity for nearly two and a half centuries."

The Orange County Republican Party quickly responded with a statement critical of Levin.

"Let's be clear: Mike Levin simply has his finger to the wind and knows Biden's days are numbered. Levin campaigned with Biden for two days straight just before the midterm election. He knew first-hand Washington DC's worst-kept secret — Biden's failing cognitive state. And he said nothing."

The Republicans claimed Levin was losing ground to GOP challenger Matt Gunderson and bailed on Biden for political reasons. A spokesman for Levin did not have an immediate response to the statement.

Correa said he was on a phone call with Biden Friday set up with the congressional Hispanic political arm that Levin joined.

Correa said he was "absolutely" still backing Biden.

"I was one of the first to endorse him five years ago and I'm still there," Correa told City News Service. "He has a spectacular track record, one that any president would be proud of." 

Correa said he tried to impress on the president that a lot of business leaders tell him they have a labor shortage and some admit to hiring undocumented immigrants because they have no choice.

"Now you've got (former) President Trump promising massive deportations — what's that going to do the American economy?" Correa said. "Immigration is about our American economy and how to sustain it. We're going to have worker shortages around the world."

Correa said Biden "clearly got sacked in his own end zone" at the debate.

"But give him a chance to put together some drives," Correa said. "He's putting together a beautiful drive. It's Michigan-style — four or five yards at a time."

Correa said the turmoil may end up being a blessing in disguise if anxiety about Trump encourages more Democratic turnout.

"Democrats are waking up — we have a real dog fight on our hands," Correa said. "We have to really work hard and in a way that's the silver lining."