TOPICS: Biden, Hochul, President, Campaign, Democrats, Trump, Support, Election

WASHINGTON (TND) — New York State Governor Kathy Hochul reaffirmed her support for President Joe Biden on Thursday amidst increasing calls from Democrats for him to drop out of the presidential race. Reports have emerged this week suggesting that top Democrats have privately advised Biden to consider ending his campaign. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., allegedly cautioned the president recently, warning that continuing his campaign could jeopardize the Democratic Party’s control of both chambers in the upcoming year. Additionally, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly presented polling data to Biden indicating that he may not be able to defeat former President Donald Trump, as per the Associated Press.

Speculation is now circulating that Biden might withdraw from the race as early as this weekend. Nonetheless, Governor Hochul expressed during an interview with Bloomberg on Thursday that the rumors have not swayed her opinion. Hochul stated, “What I said when I met the president, literally the day after his debate … what he said [is] he is in it to win it. Once he said he’s in, my view is he’s gonna be in. He’s staying. As long as he’s staying in this race, I am with him. I am with him as long as he wants to do this, and he’s been an extraordinary president.”

Governor Hochul has consistently supported Biden throughout the election cycle. In May, she labeled those supporting Trump as “clowns” and emphasized that her state would “never ever” vote for the Republican candidate. Furthermore, she highlighted that New York understands Trump’s motives and would solidly back Biden for the presidency.

On the other hand, Representative Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., a prominent figure in the Republican Party, expressed a contrasting view in her speech at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday. She argued that Trump is essential in addressing immigration, inflation, and crime, advocating for his return to the White House.

Biden is currently recovering from COVID-19. His diagnosis was announced by the White House on Wednesday, just hours after the president had mentioned in an interview with BET that he would only halt his reelection campaign under certain medical circumstances.