In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to officially enter the fray. Biden, citing the demands of his current presidential role and the best interests of the party, stated his decision in a statement released on July 21st. He immediately endorsed Harris, stating, “My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made.” He concluded his message with a call to unity: “I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do—when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”
Harris swiftly accepted Biden’s endorsement, stating, “On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.” She emphasized her commitment to unifying the Democratic party and defeating Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
While Biden’s endorsement is a significant advantage, the final decision rests with the 3,900 Democratic delegates who will gather at the National Convention in Chicago on August 19th. Other potential candidates vying for the nomination include California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. The stage is set for a heated political battle as the Democratic party prepares to choose its nominee for the 2024 presidential election.
