Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a vocal supporter of President Biden, delivered impassioned remarks Wednesday expressing his frustration with the current state of the presidential election.
“So, we're just going to keep fighting. I don't know what to say. We're just going to do what we have to do,” Pritzker told a man on the sidelines of an anti-crime event in Chicago.
“I don't like where we are,” the governor added.
A spokesperson for the governor told NBC Chicago that Governor Pritzker made these comments while speaking about the presidential election and the debate over the 81-year-old being the leading Democratic candidate.
The governor's office did not respond to The Washington Post's request for comment.
Pritzker, 59, has been mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate to replace Biden if Biden were to withdraw from the election.
The first-term governor has repeatedly said he supports Biden's candidacy after his disastrous debate defeat against former President Donald Trump last month.
“Joe Biden is our candidate. I support Joe Biden. I've been campaigning for Joe Biden,” he told reporters earlier this week, not ruling out the possibility of running for president himself if Biden decides not to seek re-election.
Pritzker was one of 10 Democratic governors who met in person with the president at the White House last week, during which Biden reportedly told the governors he needed more sleep and would not be holding any events after 8 p.m.
The governor's hot mic moment came on the same day that the Biden campaign canceled a fundraiser that was scheduled to be held in Chicago next month, according to CNN.
“I think everything is fluid at this point,” Pritzker told reporters Wednesday when asked about the reports.
“I honestly think the president is doing a great job raising money. You look at all the money that's been raised online for the Biden-Harris campaign, and I know fundraising is ongoing,” he added. “So I think any rumors that you've heard about that are exaggerated.”
