Vice President Kamala Harris swiftly launched her 2024 presidential campaign, seeking to consolidate support within the Democratic Party following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race due to concerns about his age and health.
Campaign officials and allies of Harris made extensive efforts on Sunday, reaching out to hundreds of delegates ahead of the Democratic Party convention next month, urging them to nominate her for the November 5 election against Republican Donald Trump.
Sources indicated that these calls, aimed at deterring potential Democratic challengers, began almost immediately after Biden, 81, announced his decision to step aside. Concurrently, Democratic state party chairs expressed their support for Harris during a conference call, according to several participants.
Harris engaged with prominent figures such as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a potential vice-presidential running mate, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Representative Steven Horsford, a source familiar with the matter reported.
At 59, Harris, who is Black and Asian American, presents a stark generational and cultural contrast to Trump, 78, potentially reshaping the dynamic of the presidential race. The United States has yet to elect a female president in its 248-year history.
“Harris will be easier to beat than Joe Biden would have been,” Trump asserted on CNN shortly after Biden’s announcement.
Biden, the oldest individual to have served as president, stated that he would complete his term, which ends on January 20, 2025, while endorsing Harris to run in his place.
The White House announced that Harris would deliver remarks on the South Lawn at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday during an event celebrating the NCAA 2023-24 college championship teams.
Biden’s decision makes him the first sitting president to relinquish his party’s nomination for reelection since Lyndon B. Johnson during the Vietnam War in March 1968. This move leaves Harris with less than four months to campaign. However, she has already received backing from prominent Democrats, including potential challengers such as California Governor Gavin Newsom.
“My intention is to earn and win this nomination,” Harris stated. “I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation — to defeat Donald Trump.”
Despite the initial support, discussions about an open convention when Democrats gather in Chicago from August 19-22 have not been entirely quelled. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former President Barack Obama have not yet endorsed Harris, though both praised Biden.
Other potential contenders, such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, have not mentioned Harris in their statements.
In response to these developments, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison announced that the party would soon outline the next steps in its nomination process.
Biden’s withdrawal is the latest in a series of dramatic shifts in the presidential race. On June 27, Biden’s underwhelming performance in a debate with Trump led many Democrats to call for his withdrawal. On July 13, a gunman attempted to assassinate former President Trump. Last week, Trump selected hardline Republican Senator J.D. Vance, 39, as his vice-presidential running mate.
