United States President Joe Biden has become the first sitting president since 1968 to withdraw from a presidential race.

Despite securing the delegates needed for the Democratic nomination, Biden faced mounting pressure from within his party following a poor performance in the June 27 presidential debate and a recent COVID-19 diagnosis.

His withdrawal has sparked questions about who will replace him on the Democratic ticket, with Biden endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.

The last sitting president to opt out of re-election was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968.

Johnson, facing plummeting approval ratings due to the Vietnam War, announced on March 31, 1968, that he would not seek re-election, despite being the frontrunner for his party's nomination.
(colombotimes.lk)