Vice President Kamala Harris is on the verge of securing the Democratic delegates needed to become her party’s nominee for the presidency. In her first 24 hours as a candidate, Harris set a new fundraising record, showcasing her strong support within the party. Prominent Democratic officials, party leaders, and political organizations quickly rallied behind her, signaling a shift in focus from previous concerns over President Joe Biden’s prospects. The unity within the Democratic Party became evident as Harris addressed her campaign staff in Wilmington, Delaware.
Harris acknowledged the challenges and uncertainties of the past few weeks but expressed confidence in her new campaign team. She emphasized her intention to earn the nomination and win the election, pledging to unite not only the Democratic Party but also the nation. Harris wasted no time in highlighting the themes that will define her campaign against Republican Donald Trump. She contrasted her background as a prosecutor with Trump’s felony convictions, positioning herself as a defender of economic opportunity and abortion access.
President Biden, who called into the meeting from his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, expressed his support for Harris and assured her that the mission remained the same despite the change in leadership. Biden’s decision to step aside and endorse Harris marked a significant moment in the presidential contest, prompting him to pledge his continued involvement in campaigning on her behalf. This seamless transition of power was evident as Biden handed off the mantle of leadership to Harris, stating, “I’m watching you kid. I love you.”
Harris wasted no time in hitting the campaign trail and scheduled an event in Wisconsin, a crucial battleground state. With Biden’s exit from the race, his delegates were free to vote for any candidate at the upcoming convention. Harris worked diligently to secure support from a majority of these delegates and received endorsements from prominent figures such as Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who had initially encouraged a primary to strengthen the eventual nominee, also announced her support for Harris.
More than 1,650 pledged delegates have expressed their intention to support Harris at the convention, surpassing the majority threshold set by the Democratic National Committee rules. However, winning the nomination is only the first task on Harris’ extensive to-do list. She must select a running mate and redirect the substantial political operation she inherited from Biden towards her own candidacy. With just over 100 days until Election Day, time is of the essence.
Harris’s campaign received an immediate boost in momentum after Biden’s endorsement. The campaign reported a record-breaking $81 million raised within the first 24 hours, with contributions from over 888,000 donors. Additionally, there has been a surge of interest from volunteers, with over 28,000 new registrations since Harris took over. These numbers illustrate the enthusiasm and support behind Harris’s candidacy.
Harris has been actively reaching out to Democratic officials to garner their support for her campaign. Her goal is to move past the recent internal conflicts that arose following Biden’s controversial debate with Trump. While expressing gratitude for Biden’s endorsement, Harris emphasized her desire to earn the nomination in her own right.
The Democratic Party has shown signs of coalescing behind Harris, with several influential caucuses and political organizations endorsing her. These endorsements include the AAPI Victory Fund, The Collective PAC, the Latino Victory Fund, and the chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Notably, potential running mates for Harris, such as Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, quickly issued statements endorsing her.
Former President Barack Obama has not immediately endorsed Harris, perhaps to avoid any appearance of a coronation. Instead, he pledged his support for the eventual party nominee. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, previously considering re-registering as a Democrat to compete against Harris, announced that he would not be a candidate.
As Harris balances her responsibilities as Vice President and a presidential candidate, she made her first public appearance on Monday morning at the White House. She filled in for Biden, who was recovering from COVID-19, and expressed her gratitude for his service to the nation.
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled for August, and preparations are underway for a virtual roll call to formally nominate Biden before in-person proceedings begin. The party aims to execute the nomination process efficiently while maintaining fairness. Candidates must secure the electronic signatures of 300 convention delegates to qualify.
With unity, strong fundraising, and widespread endorsements, Kamala Harris is positioning herself as a formidable candidate for the Democratic nomination. Her campaign is gaining momentum, and she faces the task of further solidifying her support within the party and presenting herself as a unifying force for the nation.
