Just a day after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the clear front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination. Harris has been quickly endorsed by a majority of pledged Democratic convention delegates, as well as numerous state delegations and prominent party leaders.
In a speech to her campaign staff, Kamala Harris emphasized her experience as a prosecutor and her ability to take on Republican Donald Trump. She praised Biden, saying that in one term, he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who served two terms in office. Harris also thanked staff and campaign officials, including Biden’s former campaign chair, who will now run her campaign.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer were among the first to formally endorse Harris, joining a long list of other Democrats who have expressed support for her candidacy. California Governor Gavin Newsom, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Senator Joe Manchin also endorsed Harris, while Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker, praised Harris’s chances of winning.
The rapid consolidation of support behind Harris has led many to question whether anyone will even challenge her for the nomination. With more than 3,930 pledged delegates at the Democratic convention and no obvious pockets of opposition emerging, it appears likely that Harris will be the party’s nominee.
Kamala Harris’s campaign has also been bolstered by her access to resources and infrastructure inherited from Biden’s campaign. Major donors have pledged to open up their wallets for her, and she has already raised over $80 million since Biden’s withdrawal. The online fundraising platform ActBlue has also reported processing over $100 million in contributions to Democratic candidates and left-leaning groups since Biden dropped out.
Despite the impressive show of support, some Democrats are still looking to ensure that the nomination process is fair and transparent. The co-chairs of the party’s Rules Committee have announced plans to meet on Wednesday to plan an “open, transparent, fair, and orderly” process for selecting the nominee.
As Harris prepares to take on Trump in November, Republicans are already working to portray her as too far left for the country. The Trump campaign has accused her of being “weak on crime,” too soft on illegal immigration, and in favor of tax increases and restrictive environmental policies.
Despite these challenges, Harris’s supporters are confident that she is the best candidate to take on Trump and win in November. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Maryland Governor Wes Moore are among those who have praised Harris’s ability to energize the Democratic Party base and unite the party behind a single candidate. With time running out before the convention in August, it seems likely that Harris will be the party’s nominee come November.
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