Agencies
Washington
US Vice President Kamala Harris says she will do “everything in my power” to defeat Donald Trump, as she accepts President Joe Biden’s endorsement following his withdrawal from the 2024 race.
Harris’ statement came a little more than two hours after Biden announced he was stepping aside following weeks of mounting pressure from Democrats worried about his ability to win a second term.
“I am honoured to have the president’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” she said. Democrats hold their national convention next month in Chicago to officially choose the party’s nominee for the November contest.
“With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else,” Harris said. She ended by noting there were still 107 days until the election.
Following Biden’s decision to end his re-election bid in the 2024 race, Democrats are busy rallying behind Harris to pick up the baton.
The 59-year-old is seen as the most likely replacement candidate on November 5, having received the endorsement of Biden himself and numerous other leading Democrats. So far, no major party figure has said they will run against her for the nomination.
The final decision will be made at the Democratic National Convention due to take place in Chicago from August 19 to 22, although a party consensus could form well before then.
Senior Democrats have
quickly came out in Harris’ favour, including Governors Gavin Newsom (California), Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania) and Roy Cooper (North Carolina). All three had been touted in recent weeks as possible candidates to replace Biden.
From the left wing of the party, Harris received support from Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Former president Barack Obama, meanwhile, spoke only of his confidence that “an outstanding candidate” would be found. Aside from beating Trump outright, many Democrats are hoping that Harris can at least prevent the Republicans from taking control of both chambers of the legislature.
All seats in the House of Representatives and around a third of the seats in the Senate will be up for grabs in the autumn election.
With Biden’s withdrawal, Trump is the oldest presidential candidate in US history. The 78-year-old was officially chosen as his party’s candidate at the Republican Party convention in Milwaukee last week, as was JD Vance as his running mate.
