President Joe Biden has officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election.
This endorsement follows Biden’s announcement on Sunday that he is withdrawing from the race to focus on his current presidential duties.
“My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden stated.
“My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made.
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
If Harris becomes the party’s official nominee, she will make history as the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead a major political party’s presidential ticket.
Biden’s endorsement comes amid a turbulent period for the Democratic Party, which has been grappling with internal discord following his lacklustre debate performance against Donald Trump in June.
This performance raised significant concerns about Biden’s ability to secure a second term and effectively govern for another four years. Mounting pressure from within the party ultimately led to his decision to step down from the re-election campaign.
Logistically, Harris is seen as the natural successor, given her role as Biden’s running mate. She stands to inherit the extensive political infrastructure and substantial war chest of the Biden campaign.
Polls have recently shown Harris outperforming Biden and other potential Democratic candidates in head-to-head matchups against former President Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee.
Despite this, there are concerns about potential efforts to bypass Harris in favour of Democrats positioning themselves for a 2028 run. Such a move could provoke significant backlash from Harris supporters and prominent Black Democrats.
However, Harris has enjoyed a resurgence of support within the party, particularly following the post-debate turmoil.
During her vice presidency, Harris has faced challenges in carving out a distinct identity while managing a complex portfolio, including voting rights and immigration.
Her efforts to bolster the Voting Rights Act met with resistance in Congress, and her handling of migration issues has drawn criticism from both the left and right.
Nonetheless, Harris has found her stride recently, emerging as a key advocate for reproductive health and a vocal critic of the threat Trump poses to democracy.
