Biden joins Harris at first joint election campaign stop since leaving race

Harris aims to boost union support at Pittsburgh event with Biden, who last year joined workers on the picket line.

United States President Joe Biden has appeared at a campaign event with Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris for the first time since dropping out of the presidential race.

The pair spoke at a rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Monday to mark the Labor Day holiday. They hope to shore up support from unions and blue-collar workers.

Pennsylvania is considered a key battleground in the November 5 election, in which Harris will face off with former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump. The 81-year-old Biden was the presidential candidate until July when he abruptly dropped out of the race following a debate performance that raised concerns over his age.

Speaking on Monday, Biden promised he would “be on the sidelines” and “do everything I can to help” in the final stretch of the race. He condemned Trump as anti-union, saying, “He’d rather cross [a picket line] than walk one.”

“I have no problem walking the picket line,” said Biden, who became the first US president in history last year to join striking workers on a picket line. “Neither does Kamala.”