Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain has told staff he is reassessing his White House bid amid allegations of an extramarital affair, but later assured his donors he was "not deterred".
Senior staffers told several US media outlets on Tuesday that Cain had announced in a staff conference call he was reassessing the viability of his challenge for the Republican nomination.
The 65-year-old former pizza executive rose dramatically in the polls in September and October, but his fortunes have faded amid a series of accusations of sexual harassment.
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In the latest blow to his campaign, an Atlanta woman alleged on Monday that she had a 13-year affair with Cain that ended just eight months ago. Cain has acknowledged a friendship with the woman, Ginger White, but denied any affair.
According to the National Review magazine's transcription of the morning conference call, Cain stressed he had a friendship with White and was helping her financially "because she was out of work and destitute, desperate".
"That being said, obviously, this is cause for reassessment," the magazine quoted Cain as saying, adding he would come to a decision "over the next several days".
The candidate described the reassessment as being similar to those made by his campaign after revelations last month that he faced sexual harassment accusations from four women - two of whom have publicly come forward.
Cain has repeatedly denied all impropriety, but acknowledged an assessment was needed "as to whether or not this is going to create too much of a cloud, in some people's minds, as to whether or not they would be able to support us going forth," according to National Review.
In a letter sent later in the day to his donor list, Cain said White was "troubled" and had offered a "fabricated, unsubstantiated story."
"This is a trying time for my family, my campaign, and for me," Cain wrote.
But he pledged: "Let me assure you, I am not deterred. America's future is too important. We will continue on this journey to make America great once again."
