Many Democrats swiftly rallied behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s presidential nominee after President Joe Biden unexpectedly announced his withdrawal from the race. This surge of support came after weeks of internal debate within the Democratic Party regarding Biden’s suitability for another term. While the prospect of Harris as the nominee sparked enthusiasm among many, some powerful party members, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, maintained a cautious stance.
The Democratic Party faces a tight timeline with just over 100 days until the November election, and a unified front behind Harris, if she is to be the nominee, is crucial. However, doubts linger within the party about her ability to defeat Donald Trump, the Republican nominee and former president. Several Democrats have proposed holding a mini-primary prior to the August convention to ensure the nominee enjoys widespread support.
Biden himself expressed his support for Harris in a statement following his decision to step down, a move that was quickly echoed by the influential Congressional Black Caucus, key donors, several lawmakers, and super PACs like Priorities USA and Unite the Country. “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” Biden stated on X. “Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
The list of Democratic lawmakers endorsing Harris grew throughout the day, including prominent figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Senators Mark Kelly of Arizona and Patty Murray of Washington, and Representatives James Clyburn of South Carolina and Pramila Jayapal of Washington.
Dmitri Mehlhorn, an advisor to LinkedIn founder and major Democratic donor Reid Hoffman, praised Harris, calling her “the American dream personified.” He highlighted her journey from her Oakland, California roots to becoming the state’s top prosecutor, emphasizing her strength and resilience. “With Scranton Joe stepping back, I cannot wait to help elect President Harris.”
All 50 Democratic party state chairs will reportedly support Harris as the party’s new presidential nominee, according to Reuters, citing multiple sources. Democratic delegations from Tennessee, Louisiana, South Carolina, and North Carolina also announced their support for Harris. Former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, who served as Secretary of State under President Barack Obama, also publicly endorsed Harris.
However, some notable figures, including Pelosi and Obama, who served alongside Biden as vice president for eight years, thanked Biden for his service but did not endorse Harris or any other candidate. “We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead,” Obama stated. “But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.”
A source familiar with Obama’s thinking revealed that he believes he will be in a unique position to help unify the party once a nominee is chosen, mirroring his role in 2020 when Biden secured the Democratic nomination.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who commended Biden’s decision to step aside, also remained silent on the matter of the Democratic nominee. U.S. Senator Peter Welch, the first Democratic senator to call for Biden to end his reelection bid, advocated for an open nomination process. Welch argued that the Democrats should “have an open process so that whoever our nominee is, including Kamala, has the strength of having a process that shows the consensus position of the party.” He added, “The debate in the Democratic Party is who can carry on the legacy of President Biden and defeat Trump.”
One Democratic donor expressed support for a ticket featuring Harris as the presidential candidate and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as her vice president, a strategy aimed at garnering votes in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania. However, it remains unclear whom Harris would choose as her running mate if she becomes the nominee.
A group that had been supporting Biden under the name Haley Voters for Biden, comprised of supporters of former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, has rebranded itself as Haley Voters for Harris. This shift underscores the evolving dynamics within the Democratic Party as it grapples with choosing its nominee for the upcoming election.
