Endorsements flooded in rapidly on Sunday for Kamala Harris as the presumptive nominee for the US Democratic Party’s presidential candidacy, following Joe Biden’s unexpected announcement that he would withdraw from the race.
Backing the current US vice president were a host of party heavyweights, along with numerous governors and officials who had previously been seen as potential rivals for the nomination, but who now stand poised to be her running mate.
“Many major figures have now thrown their support behind her, including nearly all significant potential contenders who might have challenged her. It’s difficult to foresee any other outcome than her nomination,” remarked Democratic former White House strategist David Axelrod on a broadcast, describing Harris’ sudden surge as a “shock-and-awe campaign.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro both endorsed Harris on Sunday, withdrawing themselves from contention as potential candidates. “With our democracy in jeopardy and our future on the line, there is no one better suited to challenge Donald Trump’s bleak vision and steer our country towards a brighter future than America’s Vice President, @KamalaHarris,” Newsom announced on social media.
Similarly, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared Harris “should be the next president,” and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who competed for the Democratic nomination in 2020 alongside Harris, pledged his full support to help her secure victory in the upcoming election.
Key Democratic figures, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, and a multitude of congressional Democrats, including progressive leader Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also threw their weight behind Harris.
Notably, former President Barack Obama and ex-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lauded Biden’s decision but refrained — at least for now — from endorsing Harris.
Financial support also poured in, with Democratic fundraising organization ActBlue announcing that small donors had raised $46.7 million in the hours following Harris’ campaign launch — marking it as “the largest fundraising day of the 2024 cycle.”
Biden endorsed Harris as his successor shortly after his announcement, citing his selection of her as his running mate in 2020 as “the best decision I’ve made.”
Delegate Alignment
The formal nomination process will take place at the party’s summer convention, where delegates from all states, the District of Columbia, and US territories will officially nominate the candidate chosen by primary voters.
Despite Biden’s overwhelming victory in primary votes, following his surprise announcement, delegates from several states, including Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina, swiftly pledged their support to Harris. Delegates from other regions were also beginning to align behind her candidacy.
“I hope we don’t see Democrats looking to capitalize on this situation to boost their own profiles and become candidates in this race,” remarked Hendrell Remus, chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party. “Now is the time for us to unite behind Kamala Harris as our nominee.”
