Kamala Harris to campaign in Milwaukee, days after end of Republican National Convention

Days after the Republican National Convention leaves Milwaukee, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Wisconsin's largest city, a Biden-Harris campaign official told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Harris' campaign trip to Milwaukee on Tuesday — her fifth visit to the battleground state this year — comes as a growing chorus of Democratic candidates and donors call for President Joe Biden to step aside from the election, following a weak debate performance that raised concerns about the 81-year-old president's ability to lead the ticket.

Harris, 59, last visited Milwaukee in May, making the case that the Biden-Harris administration's economic policies have helped Americans and, in particular, addressed disparities that affect Black Americans and business owners.

The vice president's Milwaukee trip follows a July 5 stop from Biden in Madison shortly after the troubling debate outing.

Biden faces a challenge from Republican former President Donald Trump, 78, in a rematch of the 2020 race. Trump formally accepted the nomination in Milwaukee on Thursday night. Trump's 2016 victory and 2020 loss were both decided by about 20,000 votes in Wisconsin.

Biden has made clear repeatedly that he plans to stay in the race.

After news Wednesday night that he tested positive for COVID, just hours after saying a medical condition is the only thing that could pull him from the ticket, Republicans' attention at the convention increasingly focused on Harris as his potential replacement.

In a letter released Thursday, Biden's physician said the president was experiencing "mild upper respiratory symptoms" and is taking Paxlovid.

"He does not have a fever and his vital signs remain normal. He will continue to conduct the business of the American people," wrote Dr. Kevin C. O'Connor.

Speculation has centered on Harris replacing Biden at the top of the ticket, but the vice president has remained loyal to Biden throughout the calls for him to end his campaign.

The Democratic National Committee is moving ahead with plans to confirm Biden as the party's nominee during a virtual roll-call vote ahead of its convention, set for Aug. 19 to 22, to resolve meeting ballot deadlines of several states.

Jessie Opoien can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kamala Harris to campaign in Milwaukee, days after end of RNC