Kamala Harris is now the leading Democratic candidate to challenge Donald Trump in the upcoming election, according to US News.
At 1.46pm in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race on his personal social media account. By 2.13pm, he had endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee.
After a 27-minute journey, President Biden positioned Kamala Harris as the frontrunner against Donald Trump.
With his full support, it appears that there is little doubt that she will be the Democratic nominee for the upcoming election.
Follow live: Reaction as Biden pulls out of race
In his initial letter, President Biden highlighted his presidency’s accomplishments, such as investments in healthcare and gun safety, with a brief mention of Kamala Harris as an “extraordinary partner.” It became clear soon after that he fully supported his vice president, leaving no room for other candidates.
With other prominent Democrats backing her, Kamala Harris now appears to be the uncontested nominee, as no other top Democrat has announced plans to enter the race.
Kamala Harris’s candidacy makes logistical sense for the Democratic Party, as she has the existing infrastructure from the Biden/Harris campaign. It is also easier to transfer campaign donations to her and redirect delegates’ votes.
The potential of a Harris candidacy has energized donors, with ActBlue raising $46.7m from grassroots supporters just hours after she entered the race.
With only 107 days until the election, a Harris candidacy enables Democrats to act quickly and concentrate on defeating Mr. Trump. Ms. Harris has been actively reaching out to donors and party leaders to solidify her position within the party.
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Biden’s potential successor
Who is supporting Harris
Despite the numerous complexities and uncertainties surrounding the nomination shift from Biden to Harris, the Democratic Party is navigating uncharted territory, especially with the first woman of color running for the White House.