Democrats on Monday moved to consolidate behind Vice President Kamala Harris for the party’s nomination, capping a dramatic 24 hours since President Biden made the shocking announcement that he was dropping out of the 2024 race, later announcing his endorsement of Harris for the nomination.
Harris made her first public remarks since the announcement at the White House Monday at an event honoring college athletes. She said she’s “deeply, deeply grateful” to Mr. Biden for his “service to his nation” and called his legacy “unmatched in modern history.”
Harris is visiting the Wilmington campaign office to meet the staff, she posted on social media. A Democratic political action group, Future Forward PAC, announced Monday that it had raised $150 million, a staggering amount, given the lag in Democrats’ fundraising since Mr. Biden’s disastrous debate against Trump last month.
House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, still one of the most powerful Democrats in Washington, endorsed Harris on Monday, a key stepping stone, although Democratic leaders such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and current Speaker Hakeem Jeffries have not yet endorsed her.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris arrives for an NCAA championship teams celebration on the South Lawn of the White House on July 22, 2024 in Washington, DC.
Andrew Harnik / Getty Images
Harris, the 59-year-old former senator and state attorney general from California, also earned support from many who had been considered top rivals for the nomination, including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
Although Mr. Biden has endorsed her, he does not appoint a successor in the race. The delegates to the Democratic National Convention will vote on who becomes the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. Democrats are expected to hold a virtual roll-call vote formalizing the nomination in early August, weeks before the convention, which is slated to begin in Chicago on Aug. 19.
The Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, has been posting on social media about Mr. Biden’s decision to drop out, and he won’t commit to any debates against the eventual nominee. GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance, meanwhile, will be speaking at a rally on Monday.
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Publish date : 2024-07-22 19:06:00
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