Kamala Harris Secures Democratic Nomination for President

Vice-President Kamala Harris has achieved a significant milestone by garnering the support of a majority of Democratic delegates, securing her position as the party’s nominee for president. A survey conducted by the Associated Press on Monday evening revealed that she has surpassed the necessary 1,976 delegate endorsements needed to clinch the nomination in the first round of voting.

This marks a pivotal moment for Ms. Harris, who is now poised to challenge Republican Donald Trump in the upcoming November presidential election. The official confirmation will occur when party delegates participate in a roll call vote at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago next month.

Delegates, chosen to represent their electoral areas, have pledged their support to Ms. Harris, and while these pledges are technically non-binding until the vote, they are unlikely to change. Since President Joe Biden withdrew from the race on Sunday, no challenger has emerged to contest Ms. Harris’s candidacy.

President Biden’s exit came after increasing pressure from senior party members following a difficult debate against Trump. If current support holds until the delegates cast their votes between August 1-7, Ms. Harris will formally secure the party’s nomination.

The Associated Press survey underscores the growing support for Ms. Harris after President Biden’s withdrawal. Her campaign has seen a surge in donations, and prominent Democrats have rallied behind her as the Democratic nominee.

During a speech at her campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday evening, Ms. Harris addressed her supporters and aimed her focus at Donald Trump. Reflecting on her background as a prosecutor in California who tackled predators and fraudsters, she stated, “I know Donald Trump’s type.”

Ms. Harris emphasized the contrast between the visions offered by her campaign and Trump’s, highlighting, “One focuses on the future, the other focuses on the past.” She expressed her belief in a “brighter future that makes room for all Americans,” in contrast to Trump’s approach, which she described as wanting to take the country backward.

Ms. Harris also took the opportunity to acknowledge President Biden’s achievements, calling her tenure as his vice-president “one of the greatest honors of my life.”

Before Ms. Harris addressed her supporters, President Biden made his first public comments since withdrawing from the 2024 race. Speaking via phone while isolating due to Covid-19, he expressed gratitude to his aides and urged them to “embrace” Ms. Harris, praising her as “the best.”

Acknowledging the surprise and difficulty of his decision, Mr. Biden affirmed that it was the right course of action. He pledged to remain actively involved in the campaign, emphasizing the importance of defending democracy.