Washington, D.C. – Vice President Kamala Harris has secured enough delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination, positioning her to face Donald Trump in the November 2024 election. Harris crossed the crucial threshold following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw his re-election bid and endorse her, dramatically reshaping the race for the White House.
As of early Tuesday morning, a tally by the Associated Press confirmed Harris had garnered the pledged support of 2,668 delegates, significantly surpassing the 1,976 needed to clinch the nomination. This milestone was reached on the first full day after Biden’s withdrawal and endorsement.
“Tonight, I am proud to have earned the support needed to become our party’s nominee,” Harris announced on social media platform X. She highlighted that delegates from her home state of California had “put our campaign over the top.”
The Vice President received endorsements from numerous senior Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and saw a record surge in fundraising. Her campaign amassed $81 million in the first 24 hours post-Biden’s exit, surpassing the amount Biden raised in the initial two months of his campaign.
“In the days and weeks ahead, I, together with you, will do everything in my power to unite our Democratic party, to unite our nation, and to win this election,” Harris stated in her first campaign speech from Biden’s former headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.
In response, Trump expressed his frustration on his Truth Social network, criticizing the Democratic Party’s strategy. He called for numerous debates and claimed Harris had “absolutely terrible poll numbers against a fine and brilliant young man named DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Speaking in Delaware, Harris drew from her experience as a California prosecutor, stating, “I know Donald Trump’s type.” She accused Trump of aiming to revert the country to a time before many Americans had full freedoms and rights, questioning the direction the nation should take: “A country of freedom, compassion, and rule of law? Or a country of chaos, fear, and hate?”
President Biden, currently isolating with Covid-19 at his Delaware holiday home, reiterated his support via phone call. “The name has changed at the top of the ticket. But the mission hasn’t changed,” he said. To Harris, he added: “I’m watching you, kid. I love ya.”
Many Democratic donors welcomed Biden’s decision to step aside, viewing his age as a potential liability for the party. Harris’s campaign noted that over 888,000 individuals had donated since Biden’s endorsement, with 60% being first-time contributors in this election cycle.
The Harris campaign’s one-day fundraising haul exceeded Biden’s first 66 days on the trail last year, surpassed the amount raised at a Hollywood fundraiser hosted by George Clooney and Julia Roberts, and even topped the combined fundraising efforts of Presidents Biden, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Harris announced that she had asked Jen O’Malley Dillon, Biden’s campaign chair, to lead her presidential bid, with Julie Chavez Rodriguez staying on as campaign manager. Harris aims to energize the Democratic base, including women, young voters, and minority groups, while attracting independents and swing voters disenchanted with Trump.
Despite Biden’s withdrawal and Harris’s ascent, Trump’s campaign advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita asserted in a memo that the change at the top of the Democratic ticket would not alter the race dynamics. They argued that Harris was perceived as equally, if not more, problematic than Biden.
As the 2024 election approaches, both campaigns are preparing for an intense battle for the White House, with Harris aiming to make history as the first female president and Trump seeking a return to power.
