Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, has officially secured the Democratic party’s presidential nomination. This confirms her extraordinary journey to becoming the party’s flagbearer in the upcoming showdown against Republican candidate Donald Trump in November.
Being the sole candidate on the ballot during a five-day electronic vote involving nearly 4,000 party convention delegates, Harris will be formally appointed at a convention in Chicago later this month.
Expressing her gratitude, Harris, 59, stated, “I am honored to be the presumptive Democratic nominee for President of the United States,” during a phone-in to a celebratory event after clinching enough votes by the second day of the voting process.
Since President Joe Biden withdrew his reelection bid two weeks ago, Harris has taken full command of the party.
No other Democratic contenders challenged her ascendancy to the top of the ticket, resulting in her confirmation as the first Black and South Asian woman to secure a major party’s nomination, a mere formality.
With Harris gearing up to kick off her campaign trail next week, plans include visits to seven pivotal battleground states alongside her newly selected running mate, whose identity is expected to be disclosed soon.
The Democratic Party opted for a virtual nomination process, in reflection of the pandemic-impacted 2020 election, due to Ohio’s August 7 deadline for major parties to finalize their certified candidates for the November election.
The virtual roll call signifies the official commencement of the 2024 convention, though the true festivity begins when thousands of dedicated party members convene in Chicago on August 19.
The event will involve formal votes for Harris and her running mate, promising an exuberant celebration of her transition from state politics to the pinnacle of the party ticket.
Trump’s presidential campaign encountered turmoil on July 21 when Biden, 81, withdrew his candidacy and endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee.
Harris has already shattered fundraising records, attracted large crowds at events, and closed the polling gap between Trump and Biden, generating momentum that she hopes will propel her to the White House through the convention.
Her first public appearance with the running mate is scheduled for Tuesday in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — a crucial swing state where potential candidates like Josh Shapiro, the Democratic governor, are under consideration to join forces with Harris on the ticket.
Harris will tour through all the “blue wall” states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, aiming to reconstruct the coalition that led to Biden’s triumph in 2020.
Additionally, she will expand her journey to more racially diverse Sun Belt and southern states like Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada, targeting the Black and Hispanic voters who have been shifting away from the Democrats.
AFP.