Evers the only Democratic governor not joining post-debate meeting with Biden

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Gov. Tony Evers is the only Democratic governor not participating in a meeting Wednesday with President Joe Biden following the president's poor debate performance last week.

A dispatch Wednesday evening from a White House press pool reporter listed the meeting's attendants as Democratic governors from 22 other states, as well as the governors of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and the mayor of Washington, D.C. 

Currently, 23 states have Democratic governors.

Evers' communications director, Britt Cudaback, told CBS 58 Tuesday Evers did not plan on attending the meeting with President Biden. 

"Gov. Evers didn’t attend the meeting because he’s focused on moving forward and winning Wisconsin," Cudaback posted a statement Wednesday evening on social media. "He supports President Biden - his comments in support of the president over the last week speak for themselves, and he looks forward to campaigning with the President on Friday."

Mr. Biden is scheduled to visit both Wisconsin and Pennsylvania Friday. The Wisconsin stop will be in Madison; the White House has yet to share the location of that rally.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin has said in social media posts earlier Wednesday Evers will appear with Mr. Biden at the Madison rally.

Wednesday evening, a video display at the Concerts on the Square event outside the state Capitol showed Evers in attendance.

The visit will come as top Democrats, including some members of Congress, have openly questioned whether Mr. Biden should remain the Democratic nominee after a debate showing Thursday that included extended pauses and occasions where the president could not finish a sentence before his time ran out.

Evers has previously defended Mr. Biden's aptitude, although the president's age has long been a sticking point with Wisconsin voters, according to Marquette Law School polls dating back to the beginning of this year.

Editor's Note: This article was updated to add a statement Evers' spokesperson posted to social media Wednesday.