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2024 election live updates: Sen. Jon Tester calls on Biden not to seek another term

This comes as Biden faces calls from some Democrats to drop out of the race.

Last Updated: July 18, 2024, 5:15 PM EDT

President Joe Biden is facing a critical point in his reelection bid as Democratic calls for him to exit the 2024 race continue to mount despite his efforts to shut them down.

A poor debate performance against Donald Trump in June reignited questions about Biden's age and fitness to carry out his campaign and serve another four years. Biden has defiantly insisted he is staying the course, telling lawmakers this week he is not going anywhere.

On July 11, Biden held his first news conference since the debate -- taking multiple questions about his political future.

5:15 PM EDT

1,400 Black women leaders, allies sign letter in support of Biden-Harris ticket

More than a thousand Black women leaders and allies have signed a letter in support of the Biden-Harris ticket.

In the letter, dated July 17 and addressed to the "Democratic Party leadership," the signatories say they're "writing to share our deep concern and dismay at the lack of unity being displayed by some of our elected democrats and Democratic Party leadership, who are not standing firmly and resolutely for the reelection of President Joseph Biden and his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris."

"The Biden-Harris administration is running on a solid record of historic legislative accomplishments and a commitment to finish their agenda to improve the lives of all Americans, protect our rights, freedoms and democracy," they continue, in part. "Further, we believe it is unfair and disruptive to judge President Biden for having a bad 90-minute debate performance against a serial liar who wants to destroy our democracy and be a dictator-in-chief."

"History is a great teacher and has taught us that a divided house will fail," they write. "As Black women, we are uniquely aware of the very real threat a second Trump term poses to our country and especially to our community. But this is not a moment to give in to fear. Instead, we must unify around our deep belief in our values and our ability to effectively engage voters and win up and down the ballot in 2024."

They end the letter by saying, "Now is the time for democrats to unite and win."

Some notable signers included actress Vivica A. Fox, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and LaTosha Brown of Black Voters Matters.

-ABC News' Sabina Ghebremedhin

4:28 PM EDT

Raskin to Biden: 'There is no shame in taking a well-deserved bow'

Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin sent Biden a four-page letter on July 6 urging him to reconsider his campaign and speak with Democrats about the path forward.

"There is no shame in taking a well-deserved bow to the overflowing appreciation of the crowd when your arm is tired out, and there is real danger for the team in ignoring the statistics," he wrote in the letter, obtained by ABC News.

Rep. Jamie Raskin makes a statement during a roundtable discussion on Supreme Court Ethics conducted by the Democrats of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, June 11, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
Jemal Countess/Getty Images

"Your situation is tricky because you are both our star pitcher and our Manager. But in democracy, as you have shown us more than any prior president, you are not a Manager acting all alone; you are the co-Manager along with our great team and our great people," Raskin added.

The letter was first reported by The New York Times on Thursday. Raskin confirmed to ABC News that he sent the letter.

In it, the congressman urged the president to caucus with the team.

"Hear them out. You will make the right decision," he wrote.

-ABC News' Rachel Scott and Ben Siegel

4:18 PM EDT

Biden more receptive to hearing calls to step aside: Senior administration official

While the president's inner circle and campaign are adamant that he is just as committed as ever, the president has become more receptive to hearing out calls for him to exit the race, a senior administration official tells ABC News.

Biden has also asked for polling on how Kamala Harris would do, according to the official.

There is no indication that Biden is changing his mind.

When it comes to money, the big donors in New York and California have let the team know they are not saying no, but have hit the pause button for now, the official said.

The official noted that the president is wiped and exhausted, but the COVID-19 diagnosis gives him a chance to bring people together, have conversations and think while he recovers in Delaware.

-ABC News' Mary Bruce

3:17 PM EDT

Top Biden aide: Biden 'preparing to hit the campaign trail again next week'

As President Biden faces mounting calls from prominent Democrats to drop out of the race, a member of his inner circle flatly denied reports that the president is now more open to the idea of ending his campaign.

"Anyone who has talked to Joe Biden in the last 24 hours can tell you that is not true," the senior White House official, who has spoken to Biden today, told ABC News.

The official said nothing has changed regarding Biden's candidacy and the campaign, with the exception that COVID is keeping him home.

"He is going to win the nomination and then the party is going to need to unite," the official said.

The senior official expressed anger and frustration at the criticism Biden is taking from fellow Democrats, acknowledging that the calls for the president to drop out have taken a toll and will likely cause further erosion in the polls.

This official also told ABC News that reports to the contrary are coming out of Congress, and not from those who truly know the mindset of the president.

"He is preparing to hit the campaign trail again next week," the official said.

-ABC News' Jonathan Karl