Vice President Kamala Harris announced her intention to seek the Democratic nomination for the 2024 presidential election following President Joe Biden’s decision to step aside and endorse her. This sets the stage for a historic campaign that could make Harris the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead the ticket of a major political party in the United States.
In her statement, Harris expressed her gratitude for Biden’s endorsement and her determination to unite the party behind her. “I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” she said. This announcement marks a significant moment in the Democratic Party’s history as it transitions from Biden’s leadership to potentially Harris’s.
President Biden, at 81, faced increasing calls to step aside after a faltering debate performance against former President Donald Trump last month. He announced his decision to drop his reelection bid, emphasizing that it was “in the best interest of my party and the country.” His endorsement of Harris signals a strong push for party unity as the Democrats prepare for the 2024 election.
Several senior Democrats have already rallied behind Harris. California Governor Gavin Newsom, known for his own presidential ambitions, praised Biden’s decision as “selfless” and called Harris “fearless” and “tenacious.” Newsom’s support is significant given his stature within the party and potential influence on the West Coast electorate.
Similarly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro pledged his full support to Harris, stating he would do “everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as the 47th President of the United States.” Shapiro’s endorsement reflects the growing momentum behind Harris within key swing states.
Pete Buttigieg, the current Transportation Secretary and a former presidential contender, lauded Biden as “one of the most consequential presidents in American history” and committed to supporting Harris’s campaign. Buttigieg’s backing is particularly notable given his previous run for the presidency and his continued influence within the party.
Former President Bill Clinton and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton also threw their weight behind Harris. They declared their intention to “fight with everything we’ve got to elect her,” underscoring the broad base of support Harris is garnering from established party figures.
However, former President Barack Obama, while expressing “extraordinary confidence” in the emergence of an “outstanding nominee,” did not explicitly endorse Harris or any other candidate. His neutrality suggests a desire to allow the nomination process to unfold without appearing to sway it decisively in any one direction.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet commented on Harris’s candidacy, maintaining her stance of observing the unfolding political landscape before making a public endorsement.
Peter Welch, the first Democratic senator to call on Biden to withdraw from the race, advocated for an “open process” to nominate Harris. Despite his call for openness, the signs of unity within the party are strong, with many high-profile Democrats aligning themselves with Harris.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has swiftly moved to support Harris, amending the names of its fundraising committees to the Harris Victory Fund and Harris Action Fund. This institutional backing highlights the party’s strategic pivot towards Harris as its prospective leader.
Major Democratic donors, including LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and investor Alexander Soros, have publicly endorsed Harris, indicating a robust financial backing for her campaign.
In response to Biden’s announcement, the pro-Trump super-PAC Make America Great Again quickly launched an attack ad against Harris, claiming she covered up Biden’s “obvious mental decline.” Trump himself commented, “Whoever the Left puts up now will just be more of the same,” signaling a contentious general election ahead.
As Harris embarks on her campaign, the Democratic Party appears poised to rally behind her, setting the stage for a historic and potentially transformative election.
