Biden says he will get back on election campaign trail next week

WASHINGTON

Despite growing calls from Democrats to withdraw from this year's US presidential race, Joe Biden said on Friday he looks forward to getting back on election campaign trail next week.

"I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week to continue exposing the threat of Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda while making the case for my own record and the vision that I have for America: one where we save our democracy, protect our rights and freedoms, and create opportunity for everyone," the president in a statement.

"The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win," he added.

The statement comes hours after Biden's reelection campaign chair said he is "absolutely" in the presidential race.

"Absolutely, the President's in this race," said Jen O’Malley Dillon during an interview with MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

"We believe on this campaign, we are built for the close election we are in and we see the path forward," she added. "He’s the best person to take on Donald Trump and prosecute that case and present his vision, versus what we saw last night."

Lawmakers have asked Biden to withdraw from the presidency since his poor performance at the June 27 debate against former President Donald Trump, a Republican who is seeking re-election.

On Friday, Sen. Martin Heinrich became the third Democratic senator to call on Biden to leave the race.

"While the decision to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden's alone, I believe it is in the best interests of our country for him to step aside," Heinrich said in a statement.

Earlier, Senators Peter Welch and Jon Tester publicly called on Biden to step aside. More than two dozen House Democrats have so far urged the US president to withdraw, including Representatives Jared Huffman, Mark Pocan,Chuy Garcia, and Marc Veasey.

Meanwhile, the Axios news website reported on Thursday, citing several top Democrats, that Biden could announce his decision to end his re-election campaign as soon as this weekend.

Most polls show Biden now trailing significantly behind Trump in key battleground states with just four months until Election Day.

Biden is currently self-isolating following another COVID diagnosis.