Vice President Kamala Harris has secured the majority of pledged delegates to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, officially becoming the party’s presidential nominee, Democratic Party officials announced on Friday, the Washington Post reported.
This milestone comes after the former Democratic standard-bearer dropped out less than two weeks ago, culminating in an unprecedented nomination process.
The more than 4,000 convention delegates had until Monday to submit their ballots, but no other candidate qualified to challenge Harris, making her selection virtually certain. Harris’s formal nomination as the first woman of color to lead a major party’s presidential ticket marks a significant moment for a nation long grappling with racial and gender issues.
“I am honored to be the presumptive Democratic nominee for president of the United States,” Harris said in a call with supporters. “The tireless work of our delegates, state leaders, and staff has been pivotal in making this moment possible.”
The announcement was made by Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison, who noted that Harris crossed the threshold just a day after online balloting began. The vote remains open through Monday.
“The fact that we can say today — just one day after we opened voting — that the vice president has crossed the majority threshold and will officially be our nominee next week is simply outstanding,” Harrison said.
The Washington Post reported that “no other candidate qualified to challenge Harris, making her selection virtually certain” and that her nomination is “a milestone for a nation long riven by racial and gender issues.”
