VOWS TO STAY IN RACE Ready to debate ‘my friend’ Biden in empty hall Sun.

The Bern ain’t done yet.

Bernie Sanders vowed to continue his struggling presidential campaign Wednesday even after suffering another crushing defeat at the hands of rival Joe Biden.

The firebrand lefty insisted that he would debate Biden Sunday ahead of another crucial round of primaries next Tuesday in Florida, Illinois, Ohio and Arizona.

“I very much look forward to the debate in Arizona with my friend, Joe Biden,” Sanders said.

“Donald Trump must be defeated, and I will do everything in my power to make that happen,” Sanders said.

“On Sunday night, in the first debate of this campaign, the American people will have the opportunity to see which candidate is best positioned to accomplish that goal.”

Sanders broke his silence a day after he was decisively beaten by Biden in the crucial swing state of Michigan, a Rust Belt battleground, and several other key states.

He boasted that his campaign had rallied young people and progressive voters behind a movement like no other.

Despite his insistence that he would stay in the race, Sanders sounded an almost valedictory note.

He repeatedly referred to Biden as “my friend” and conceded that millions of

Democratic voters see Biden as a better bet to beat President Trump in November.

“I cannot tell you how many people … have said, ‘I’m going to vote for Joe Biden because I think Joe is the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump.’ ” End of quote,” Sanders said. “We have heard that statement all over this country.”

Sanders said he will grill Biden Sunday on a series of crucial policy disagreements, including climate change, student debt and most importantly his signature issue of health care.

“Joe, what are you going to do to end the absurdity of the United States of America being the only major country on Earth where health care is not a human right?” Sanders said, previewing a line of argument against Biden.

The tone of Sanders, who commands a devoted army of progressive supporters, was far different from the stubborn anger he displayed during his bitter primary fight against Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Four years ago, he refused to concede defeat for months even as Clinton rolled up an insurmountable delegate lead. Many of his supporters refused to back Clinton or voted for third-party candidates in November, a crucial factor in Trump’s narrow Electoral Colone-on-one