PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus issued a statement on Monday in support of President Joe Biden’s decision to the stay in the 2024 presidential race.

“As a Caucus whose focus is on the good of the Commonwealth and 9 million Virginians, our decision to support Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is based solely on shared policy positions, which will continue to grow our economy and build a country with viable futures for our youth,” wrote Chair Lamont Bagby (D-Henrico/Richmond) in speaking for the 32-member caucus.

Bagby said voters have a “choice is between two visions.”

“A second Trump presidency would set us back a generation. We have full faith that a second Biden presidency would keep us moving forward.”

Here’s the full statement from the VLBC:

As a Caucus whose focus is on the good of the Commonwealth and 9 million Virginians, our decision to support Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is based solely on shared policy positions, which will continue to grow our economy and build a country with viable futures for our youth.

As policy makers, we need support and allies at every level to truly deliver for constituents across the country. This administration has ushered in historic economic and job growth, record unemployment, and long overdue investments in healthcare coverage and our infrastructure. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have demonstrated their values. They have fought for and won policies that protect real, working class people from exploitative corporate interests in the pharmaceutical industry, overwhelming student debt, and the threats our changing climate brings.

This administration has proven that they care for the millions of Virginians who voted them into office. The person who we elevate to lead us as a nation must have respect for the democratic process that empowers them to make decisions for the good of the people. The only candidate I trust with this responsibility is Joe Biden.

The choice is between two visions. A second Trump presidency would set us back a generation. We have full faith that a second Biden presidency would keep us moving forward.

Lamont Bagby, chair of Virginia Legislative Black Caucus

The statement comes after Biden tries to brush aside growing criticism from Democrats for him to step aside, including Washington’s Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, and New York’s Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee.

No prominent Virginia Democrats have publicly called on Biden to step aside so far, but there have been reports that Virginia Sen. Mark Warner was trying to organize lawmakers to pressure Biden to do so. Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia later clarified his support of the Biden-Harris ticket after initial reports that he was among those calling for Biden to leave the race.

Warner’s co-senator, Tim Kaine, has expressed support for Biden, but told reporters on Monday that it’s “early in this discussion in the aftermath of the debate.”

Biden sent a letter Monday to Democrats in Congress and said “I wouldn’t be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024.”