By Vice President Kamala Harris has announced her intention to run for president in the 2024 election, just hours after President Joe Biden revealed he would be dropping out of the race. This swift declaration positions Harris as a frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, with strong support already emerging from pro-abortion rights organizations.
In a statement released Sunday, Harris said, “I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.” Emphasizing the urgency of the upcoming election, she added, “We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
Harris’s announcement has been met with enthusiasm from prominent abortion rights advocacy groups, most notably Planned Parenthood. The organization released a statement Sunday, praising Harris’s commitment to reproductive rights: “As we have navigated this public health crisis, Vice President Harris has kept the needs and experiences of patients and providers front and center. She’s the first Vice President to visit a Planned Parenthood health center — and we know that she will continue to fight like hell to rebuild a fundamental right that was stripped away.”
Planned Parenthood further commended the Biden-Harris administration’s record on reproductive freedoms, stating, “President Biden and Vice President Harris‘ record when it comes to protecting our reproductive freedoms and abortion access is unquestionable — these last two years, they have been the strongest, steadiest voice in the post-Dobbs storm.
Harris has indeed been at the forefront of the Biden administration’s efforts to protect abortion rights, particularly in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Her leadership on this issue is likely to be a central theme of her campaign, given its significance to Democratic voters.
As the race for the Democratic nomination begins to take shape following Biden’s unexpected withdrawal, Harris’s early declaration and the swift support from key advocacy groups could give her a significant advantage. However, she may still face competition from other prominent Democrats who might view Biden’s exit as an opportunity to enter the race.
The coming weeks will be crucial as Harris begins to build her campaign infrastructure and articulate her vision for the country. With abortion rights expected to be a major issue in the 2024 election, her strong stance on the matter and the backing of organizations like Planned Parenthood could play a pivotal role in mobilizing Democratic voters.
As the political landscape continues to evolve rapidly, all eyes will be on Harris as she transitions from vice president to presidential candidate, navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in what promises to be a highly consequential election.
