Which Biden allies have called on him to quit the US election race?

United States President Joe Biden is battling to save his re-election campaign as concerns about his age and fitness fuel doubts about his ability to beat Republican challenger Donald Trump.

During a high-stakes news conference on Thursday, Biden, 81, struck a defiant tone, insisting he is the most qualified person to beat Trump, and that he will not quit the race.

“I’ve gotta finish this job because there’s so much at stake,” Biden said.

While Biden delivered a coherent defence of his administration’s record at home and overseas, the president also made a number of stumbles, including mistakenly referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump”.

After Biden’s latest appearance, three more elected Democrats joined the growing list of allies calling on the president to step aside, although the bulk of his party has – publicly, at least – stood behind his candidacy.

Here is a list of Biden allies who have called on the president to stand down:

So far, 17 Democrats in the House of Representatives have called on Biden to bow out.

Eric Sorensen of Illinois on Thursday night became the third House Democrat to call on Biden to withdraw after he wrapped up his news conference, following Jim Himes of Connecticut and Scott Peters of California.

“In 2020, Joe Biden ran for President with the purpose of putting country over party. Today, I am asking him to do that again. It is more important than ever that our neighbours have a candidate for President who will communicate a positive vision for every person in this country,” Sorensen said in a statement.