Vice President Kamala Harris was already scheduled to visit Milwaukee on Tuesday.
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President Joe Biden, photo by Jeramie Jannen.
President Joe Biden is dropping out of the race.
Following his poor performance in a June debate with Donald Trump, many leading Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, had called on Trump to step down, but Biden has so far said he will continue in the campaign.
Biden, 81, made the announcement in a social media post on Sunday.
“Serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my life,” the statement read. “While I intended to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and our nation for me to step down and focus on my duties as president for the remainder of my term.”
Vice President Kamala Harris is already scheduled to visit Milwaukee on Tuesday.
Biden endorsed Harris in a statement, offering his “full support and encouragement.”
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The Democratic National Convention will begin on August 19th in Chicago.
Rep. Mark Pocan was the first Wisconsin Democrat to call on Biden to withdraw. Sen. Tammy Baldwin distanced herself from the Biden campaign after the debate but endorsed his candidacy. Mayor Cavalier Johnson also endorsed Biden.
“I will speak to the American people about my decision later this week,” the president wrote.
