WASHINGTON ― Democratic lawmakers on Sunday wasted no time in endorsing Kamala Harris for president after Joe Biden announced he is stepping aside as the party’s 2024 nominee ― and backing his running mate to take the top spot.
“Today, I’m proud to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), who is up for reelection in November and who last week conveyed her constituents’ concerns to Biden about him staying in the race.
“I look forward to her candidacy as a new beginning for our party and our country,” said Baldwin. “I am excited to work with her to lower costs for Wisconsin families, grow our Made in America economy, and restore our fundamental rights and freedoms.”
“I respect President Biden’s difficult decision to step aside in this upcoming election,” said Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), who privately and publicly has raised concerns about Biden’s ability to defeat Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in November.
“While there has to be an orderly process and the decision ultimately rests in the hands of the DNC delegates, I believe Vice President Harris has the experience, energy, and resolve to lead our nation,” Warner said.
Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), one of roughly three dozen Democratic lawmakers who has publicly called on Biden to “pass the torch” to another presidential nominee, on Sunday praised Biden for having “selflessly served our nation with courage, heart and honor.”
“Now, we must come together, build on the legacy of the Biden administration and show voters that Democrats up and down the ballot are improving the lives of all Americans,” Schneider said. “I’m confident that, with Vice President Kamala Harris at the helm of the Democratic ticket, we can do exactly that. We will defeat Donald Trump.”
Democratic lawmakers have been in full-blown panic mode about Biden’s prospects in November after his disastrous debate performance against Trump last month. They have openly raised concerns about his age, mental acuity and fitness to carry out the demands of the White House job for another four years. Privately, powerful party figures and longtime allies, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and former President Barack Obama, have reportedly been orchestrating efforts to pressure Biden to go.
Until Sunday, Biden was defiant about staying the course, saying his debate performance was simply a bad night and that he wanted to “finish this job” of his administration. But between some embarrassing gaffes he’s had since the debate and intensifying pressure on him from colleagues, lawmakers and donors, the president ultimately relented to their calls.
Democratic lawmakers raved about Biden’s legacy and his love of country in their flood of statements on Sunday. But in a sign that some were also relieved by his decision to go, they were quick to pivot to their endorsement of Harris ― something Biden implicitly gave them his blessing to do when he issued his own endorsement of his vice president.
“President Biden made a difficult decision for the good of our nation” said Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), a vulnerable Democrat who previously called on Biden to step aside.
“There’s so much at stake in this election — let’s unite as a country behind Vice President Kamala Harris and rise victorious over extremism this November,” she said. “There has never been a more critical election than this one for women’s reproductive rights, for democracy, and for our future.”
The Democratic Party’s nominating convention kicks off on Aug. 19 in Chicago. Typically, party delegates cast their votes and nominate their presidential nominee at the convention, but this year the Democratic National Committee has been planning a virtual roll call that would wrap up the nomination before the convention even starts.
Party officials haven’t set a specific date for virtual voting, but they have suggested that voting will occur between Aug. 1 and Aug. 7.
With the president no longer running for reelection, the plan coming into focus is that Biden’s delegates will simply cast their votes for Harris ― who already shares the ticket with Biden and therefore has access to all the same campaign resources, staff and money ― instead of Biden. Delegates don’t have to vote for Harris, but party officials will certainly be pushing for unity behind her as the election nears and Democrats are determined to keep Trump from returning to the White House.
With Harris being vaulted to the top spot on the ticket, that creates a new opening for a vice presidential nominee, which the party will be feverishly sorting out in the coming days. Both the presidential and vice-presidential acceptance speeches are expected to be in person at the DNC convention.
Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) said Sunday that the party must now “immediately come together around Kamala Harris” to defeat Trump.
“I strongly support and endorse Kamala Harris to be our Democratic nominee for President of the United States,” said Kildee. “Kamala Harris has already been elected and earned the trust of the American people, and she has served honorably as Vice President. She is uniquely qualified to serve as President of the United States.”
Harris represents a new generation of leadership for our country,” added the Michigan Democrat. “I know she has what it takes to win in November.”
The vice president herself said Sunday that she is “honored” to have Biden’s endorsement to be Democrats’ presidential nominee.
“My intention is to earn and win this nomination,” Harris said in a statement. “Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead.”
“I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda,” said the vice president. ”We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”