Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-07) became the first Pennsylvania Democratic representative to express concerns about President Joe Biden’s electability at the top of the ticket.

During a weekly confidential, closed-door conference call with Democratic House lawmakers, Wild questioned Biden’s ability to help down-ballot candidates as the party aims to defend its slim majority in the Senate and retake the House.

CNN reported on Sunday that Wild, along with Reps. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Jim Himes (D-Conn.), Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), and Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), said Biden should not be the Democratic nominee was greater than the number who spoke up for him to stay, according to sources familiar with the matter. Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and Bobby Scott (D-Va.) spoke in support of Biden, according to one of the sources.

Wild, the ranking Democrat on the House Ethics Committee, released a statement on Sunday night to clarify her position.

“In a confidential conversation with other members of House Democratic leadership, I expressed the same concerns that Americans across the country – and here in my district – are grappling with, about President Biden’s electability at the top of the ticket. I expressed these concerns after spending multiple days speaking with my constituents about the importance of this election, when reproductive rights, workers’ rights and democracy are all on the ballot.

“In the coming days and weeks, I will operate as I always have, continuing to have these important conversations while keeping the best interests of my constituents at the forefront of every decision and statement I make.”

Wild represents one of the nation’s most competitive districts in the Lehigh Valley and both parties have targeted PA-07 in their bids to control the House in 2025. She is being challenged by Republican state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie after defeating Lisa Scheller by less than 6,000 votes in 2022.

Interestingly, Wild appeared with First Lady Jill Biden in Allentown last week to promote the Biden administration’s efforts to strengthen the middle class and Latino families through education and workforce development.

“Everyone can see this as Susan Wild’s election-year ploy to try to cling to her seat,” said National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesperson Mike Marinella. “Wild has taken every opportunity to gaslight and lie to Pennsylvanians about the current state of Joe Biden. If Wild no longer believes her own words that Joe Biden is ‘sharp’ and ‘competent,’ then she must answer the simple question: Is Joe Biden fit to serve as President?”

Mackenzie accused Wild of lying to her constituents.

“Susan Wild is more focused on her own reelection than what is in the best interest of the American people,” he said in a statement. “She can’t be trusted to do what’s right. After lying to the public by recently calling Biden “perfect,” Susan Wild was caught on a DC insider conference call sharing her real opinion: that Joe Biden shouldn’t run.”