President Joe Biden, facing increasing questions about his re-election bid, is scheduled to visit Orange County later this month for a fundraiser.
Biden will headline a reception in Laguna Beach on Friday, July 26, according to an event invitation obtained by the New York Times. Anne Earhart and Janet Keller are listed as hosts of the event.
The fundraiser comes as Biden fends off calls from inside his party to drop out of the 2024 presidential contest. Since a televised debate with former President Donald Trump on June 27, Biden, 81, has faced questions about his health and mental competency and whether he should – or even can – run for a second term in the White House.
Biden has remained defiant that he will remain in the race. He sent a letter to House Democrats first thing Monday morning, saying: “The question of how to move forward has been well aired for well over a week. And it’s time for it to end.”
The president’s fundraisers are, too, caught in the crosshairs of his re-election kerfuffle, according to the New York Times, as donors also worry about Biden’s ability to run a successful campaign.
While the Laguna Beach event is in the works, others, including one in Wisconsin, are failing to come to fruition, the Times reported last week.
A spokesperson for the Biden campaign did not respond to requests for comment Monday morning.
Earhart has donated this year to state Sen. Dave Min, a candidate in the open 47th congressional race in Orange County, and Derek Tran, who is challenging Rep. Michelle Steel in CD-45, according to OpenSecrets, which tracks money in politics. Keller has recently donated to Rep. Adam Schiff, a Burbank Democrat running for U.S. Senate in California.
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As of Monday morning, it’s unclear which — if any — of Orange County’s House Democrats will attend the fundraiser more than two weeks out; schedules have not yet been set. An in-person House Democratic caucus meeting is planned for Tuesday where members are expected to discuss Biden and his re-election.
This is a breaking story and will be updated throughout the day. The Associated Press contributed to this report.