Paris Alston: This is GBH’s Morning Edition. President Biden’s debate performance last week continues to dominate headlines and political discussions. For more on how that’s playing out locally, I’m joined by GBH statehouse reporter Katie Lannan. Hey, Katie. Good morning.

Katie Lannan: Good morning, Paris.

Alston: So how have Democrats in Massachusetts been responding to this?

Lannan: So I will say we haven’t heard a ton. Many are staying tight-lipped and standing behind the president. If we look in Congress, Richard Neal, who’s influential as both the dean of the New England delegation and a member of the Ways and Means Committee, he says there’s still broad backing for Biden within the party and that the president’s been sharp and coherent when he’s talked with him. Meanwhile, we’ve seen another U.S. rep, Stephen Lynch, quoted in the Wall Street Journal as saying the party has some decisions to make and needs to have that discussion immediately. The governor, Maura Healey, who’s a campaign surrogate for Biden, she kind of dodged questions last week about whether he should step aside to make way for a new nominee. But she did acknowledge that Biden was tough to watch in the debate, but said she had bigger concerns watching Trump.

Gov. Maura Healey: I saw him brag about overturning Roe once again and taking away health care for women. I also heard him talk about his refusal to accept the results of the last election, and refusal to commit to accepting results for the next election.

Alston: So, Katie, we know as part of this discussion, in the wake of the debates, some have been calling for President Biden to step aside and drop out of the race. Among those calling for that is state Senator Jason Lewis from Winchester. Are there other state lawmakers or any other local Democrats standing behind him?

Lannan: Not openly, and not so far at least. At least there hasn’t been a groundswell like members of Congress. There are a few state legislators speaking out here. House Speaker Ron Mariano, who is one of the most powerful Democrats on Beacon Hill, he says Biden finished the debate strong and sees the choice stark between Biden and Trump. It’s worth noting Mariano is 77, four years younger than Biden, and the state legislature as a whole skews towards the older side. So it’s an interesting position to be in when you’re fielding questions about age and politics. Jason Lewis is a bit younger. He’s 56. He said that he wants other Democrats to join his call for an open convention, but also put out a long statement over the weekend clarifying his thinking, making clear he sees Biden as a successful president and that it’s Biden’s call to state whether he stays in.

Alston: So where do Massachusetts Democrats go from here?

Lannan: You know, the morning after the debate, the state Democratic Party was out with an email blast soliciting donations to Biden, saying the money would help fight to protect democracy. They’re asking people to volunteer for the campaign here and in New Hampshire, which is more of a swing state. And of course, Massachusetts has a lot of political power players. Biden had a strong base here, base of support here in 2020, in the legislature and broadly. And it’s a big donor base in Massachusetts. We know Vice President Kamala Harris has a fundraiser in Provincetown at the end of the month. And national outlets have also been reporting that Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan governor who’s one of the candidates floated as a potential alternative, she’s headed to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard this summer, on a book tour. And there’s a former Massachusetts congressman, Chet Atkins has been soliciting donations on her behalf to to build momentum there. So some Democrats I talked to say it’s really an open question, what’s next?

Alston: Now, Katie, we have to acknowledge that as hard as Biden supporters may be working to try to keep the momentum up for him or another nominee and headed towards November, Republicans are also working really hard to get their nominee into the seat. What have you been hearing from that side, whether folks are supporting Trump or not?

Lannan: Absolutely. The Massachusetts Republican Party had the reaction that the debate indicated Biden is unfit for the office. I think we’re going to see them galvanize behind their likely nominee in Trump and really keep pushing there. You know, Biden did win Massachusetts in 2020, but this is a different election cycle. And I don’t think the Republicans are going to take that as a foregone conclusion this time around.

Alston: And what else will you be watching for in the lead up to November in terms of local politics, Katie?

Lannan: Oh, I mean, the presidential election is only going to be one thing on the ballot here. We’re going to have a busy season with all 200 seats in the state legislature up for re-election. And, of course, a handful of ballot questions dealing with various policy proposals here in Massachusetts. So, regardless of what happens at the presidential level, there’ll be a lot to focus on here in Massachusetts.

Alston: Well, that is GBH statehouse reporter Katie Lannan. Katie, thank you so much.

Lannan: Thanks, Paris.

Alston: You’re listening to GBH News.

The morning after last week’s debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the Massachusetts Democratic Party sent out an email blast soliciting donations. The money, they said, will be used to help protect democracy as the party debates its future.

“Massachusetts has a lot of political power players,” GBH’s State House reporter Katie Lannan told Morning Edition co-host Paris Alston on Tuesday. “Biden had a strong base here, base of support here in 2020, in the legislature and broadly. And it’s a big donor base in Massachusetts.”

That base will be asked to come through with campaign funds: Vice President Kamala Harris has a fundraiser in Provincetown at the end of the month.

The Massachusetts Democratic Party also asked people to volunteer in New Hampshire, considered more of a swing state.

Some Democrats are calling for Biden to drop out of the race and open the nomination, Lannan said.

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“Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan governor who’s one of the candidates floated as a potential alternative, she’s headed to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard this summer on a book tour,” Lannan said. “A former Massachusetts congressman, Chet Atkins has been soliciting donations on her behalf to build momentum there. So some Democrats I talked to say it’s really an open question: what’s next?”

As hard as Biden supporters may be working to try to keep the momentum up for him or another nominee and headed towards November, Republicans are also working really hard to get their nominee into the seat.

“The Massachusetts Republican Party had the reaction that the debate indicated Biden is unfit for the office,” Lannan said. “Biden did win Massachusetts in 2020, but this is a different election cycle. And I don’t think the Republicans are going to take that as a foregone conclusion this time around.”

There are also plenty of down-ballot races at stake, Lannan said.

“We’re going to have a busy season with all 200 seats in the state legislature up for re-election, and, of course, a handful of ballot questions dealing with various policy proposals,” she said. “Regardless of what happens at the presidential level, there’ll be a lot to focus on here in Massachusetts.”