Vice President Kamala Harris has garnered the necessary support from Democratic delegates to secure her party’s nomination for the presidential race against Republican Donald Trump, as confirmed by an Associated Press (AP) survey. This development follows President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the reelection bid, announcing his endorsement of Harris moments after his withdrawal.
Harris swiftly mobilized her campaign to secure endorsements from party donors, elected officials, and other Democratic leaders. Despite this momentum, the AP refrains from declaring Harris the presumptive nominee, as delegates retain the freedom to vote for any candidate at the upcoming convention in August or during a potential virtual roll call.
The AP survey indicates Harris has surpassed the 1,976 delegate threshold required for a first-ballot victory, tallying support from at least 2,214 delegates by Monday night. This overwhelming support positions her as the clear choice to replace Biden, with no other candidates named by delegates interviewed by the AP.
Biden’s exit from the race, prompted by concerns over his performance following the June 27 debate with Trump and a revolt among party leaders and donors, occurred on Sunday. The swift consolidation behind Harris marks a strategic effort by the Democratic Party to overcome recent internal disputes and unify in the effort to defeat Trump, with just over 100 days until Election Day.
The AP’s delegate count is based on direct interviews, state party statements, and public endorsements, reflecting a broad consensus in favor of Harris. With the nomination secured, Harris now faces the task of selecting a running mate and reorienting Biden’s campaign machinery, which includes over 1,000 staffers and nearly $96 million in funds at the end of June. In the first 24 hours post-endorsement, Harris raised an additional $81 million, setting a presidential fundraising record with contributions from over 888,000 donors.
Should she win the election, Harris would make history as the first woman and the first person of South Asian descent to serve as President of the United States. Addressing campaign staff in Wilmington, Delaware, Harris acknowledged the turbulent recent weeks but expressed confidence in her campaign’s ability to secure victory.
“It is my intention to go out and earn this nomination and to win,” Harris stated, emphasizing her commitment to uniting the Democratic Party and the nation to achieve electoral success.
The Democratic National Convention, slated for August 19-22 in Chicago, will formally nominate Harris. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) plans a virtual roll call to finalize the nomination process before the in-person convention activities begin. The DNC’s rules committee will meet this week to establish the virtual vote procedures, aiming to complete the process by August 7.
“We can and will be both fast and fair as we execute this nomination,” said Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair, during a press call.
The party’s virtual roll call will allow for multiple rounds of voting if several candidates meet the qualification criteria, which includes gathering electronic signatures from 300 convention delegates.
This decisive move to coalesce behind Harris signifies the Democratic Party’s determination to present a united front in the crucial months leading up to the election, as they aim to secure a victory against the incumbent President Trump.
Credit: AP
