In the wake of President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, many Democrats have swiftly rallied behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s potential nominee. However, some influential party figures, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have yet to voice their support.
Biden endorsed Harris in a statement on social media platform X, saying, “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
Key endorsements for Harris quickly followed from the Congressional Black Caucus, several major donors, lawmakers including U.S. Senator Patty Murray, and super PACs such as Priorities USA and Unite the Country. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also threw their support behind Harris.
Dmitri Mehlhorn, an adviser to major Democratic donor Reid Hoffman, praised Harris as “the American dream personified” and “toughness personified,” highlighting her background as the daughter of immigrants and her rise from Oakland, California to become the state’s top prosecutor.
However, notable absences from the immediate endorsement list include former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former President Barack Obama. Obama’s statement acknowledged the “uncharted waters” ahead but stopped short of endorsing Harris, stating, “I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.”
Some Democrats, like U.S. Senator Peter Welch, have called for an open nomination process to ensure the party’s consensus and strengthen the eventual nominee’s position. Welch emphasized the importance of having “an open process so that whoever our nominee is, including Kamala, has the strength of having a process that shows the consensus position of the party.”
The rapid coalescing of support behind Harris is crucial with just over 100 days until the November election. However, doubts persist within the Democratic Party about Harris’s ability to defeat former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee.
As the Democratic Party navigates this unexpected transition, the coming days will be critical in determining whether Harris can secure broad party support and position herself as a formidable challenger to Trump in the general election. The situation remains fluid, with some party members exploring potential alternatives or considering the implications of different running mate options for Harris.
