Biden to head to Wisconsin and Michigan next week

President Biden will travel to Wisconsin and Michigan next week for events to tout his administration’s efforts to lower costs — a sign he is increasing his presence in battleground states ahead of November’s election, even after ending his candidacy.

The White House announced Biden will head to Wisconsin next Thursday to highlight his administration’s investments in local communities. He will then visit Michigan to deliver a similar message the next day, the White House said.

Biden’s stops in Michigan and Wisconsin will come after a Monday rally in Pennsylvania alongside Vice President Harris, marking their first joint campaign event since Harris replaced the incumbent atop the Democratic ticket.

The president’s three stops next week will be his first nonvacation travel in weeks, and it’s no coincidence that he is visiting the three states that make up what’s sometimes called the “blue wall.” Harris will likely need to win all three states in November if she is to defeat former President Trump.

Biden announced July 21 that he would not seek reelection amid pressure from other Democrats to step aside following a disastrous debate performance against Trump.

Dozens of elected Democrats had urged Biden to pass the torch to another candidate, questioning whether he could defeat Trump in November.

Since taking over the top of the ticket, Harris has erased Trump’s polling lead and raked in millions of dollars in donations as she has energized the party’s base.