Harris Secures Presidential Nomination as Democratic Delegates Rally Behind Her

Vice President Kamala Harris has garnered enough endorsements from Democratic delegates to secure her party’s presidential nomination, according to unofficial delegate trackers.

The Associated Press delegate tracker reported that 2,688 delegates have committed to voting for Harris on the first ballot of the party’s nominating convention. A candidate requires 1,976 delegates on the first ballot to clinch the Democratic nomination.

If these delegates maintain their support, Harris will be officially declared the nominee during the voting process next month.

Several state party organizations convened on Sunday and Monday to reassess their positions after President Joe Biden—previously the presumptive nominee—unexpectedly announced his withdrawal from the reelection race on Sunday afternoon.

Biden promptly endorsed Harris following his exit. This endorsement was echoed by many state parties holding emergency meetings, as well as numerous elected officials, unions, and influential external groups.

Harris declared victory in the uncontested race for the nomination on Monday night after receiving the endorsement of the California delegation, her home state.

“Tonight, I am proud to have secured the broad support needed to become our party’s nominee, and as a daughter of California, I am proud that my home state’s delegation helped put our campaign over the top,” Harris stated on Monday. “I look forward to formally accepting the nomination soon.”

The Democratic National Committee will meet on Wednesday to establish a nomination framework and virtual roll call for selecting a presidential candidate before the party’s national convention, scheduled from August 19 to August 22 in Chicago.

The virtual roll call is intended to comply with an Ohio law mandating that parties select a candidate 90 days before Election Day, which conflicts with the timing of the Democratic convention.

Harris will also need to pick a running mate. According to an MSNBC report, the campaign has requested vetting materials from five potential candidates: Governors Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Tim Walz of Minnesota, and Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona.