Sen. Joe Manchin joined four of his Senate Democratic colleagues in the increasingly large chorus publicly calling on President Biden to step aside and allow “a new generation” to come forward.

Manchin (I-WV), who left the Democratic Party in May but still caucuses with them, joins the likes of senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) in the call.

“My prayers are with the health and well-being of my friend, the president,” Manchin told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, referring to how Biden was last week diagnosed with COVID-19.

“I’m hoping for that because I think that will leave him with a tremendous legacy as one of the greatest leaders we’ve had,” he added. “I came to this decision with a heavy heart. I think it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation.”

Manchin, 76, specifically called for an “open process” to choose a new nominee, but conceded he didn’t know the “mechanics” of how that might work given the proximity to the Democratic National Convention which kicks off August 19.

Biden, 81, is expected to be virtually coronated as the Democratic nominee for president in advance of the convention for ballot access purposes.

However, almost three dozen Democrats in both the House and Senate have publicly come forward and urged Biden to step aside, fearing his electoral chances against former President Donald Trump, who survived an assassination attempt earlier this month.

Manchin, who had clashed with Biden in the past and accused him of veering too far left, had previously stated it will become clear within days whether or not the president should stay in.

On July 8, Biden penned a letter to congressional Democrats telling them he was “firmly committed” to staying in the race.

All of this was triggered by Biden’s stumbling debate performance against Trump last month which raised alarm bells about his age and mental acuity.

Most congressional Democrats are backing Biden — at least in public.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) recently made waves with a video supporting Biden last Friday, in which she expressed concerns about the legal risks of trying to replace him.

She also cited fears about the succession plan — contending those calling on Biden to step aside have yet to articulate a solid plan that lays out who would replace him.

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) also raised eyebrows with an op-ed in which he described his interactions with Biden in Normandy last month.

“For the first time, he didn’t seem to recognize me,” the Democrat wrote. “Of course, that can happen as anyone ages but, as I watched the disastrous debate a few weeks ago, I have to admit that what I saw in Normandy was part of a deeper problem,” he wrote of the June 6 encounter.

Manchin was with Biden on that trip as well but indicated he didn’t see cognitive issues then.

“None of us are the same person or ten years ago,” Manchin explained.

Manchin also made his plea to Biden on ABC’s “This Week.”

Biden had been isolating due to having COVID-19 but publicly claimed he’d be back out on the campaign trail this week.

Both chambers of Congress are also slated to gavel back into session this week, raising the possibility that even more Democrats will defect from Biden publicly.