Current US Vice-President Kamala Harris has secured the Democratic presidential nomination, achieving the requisite delegate support.
In a telephone statement, Harris expressed her honour at becoming the presumptive nominee, as the virtual roll call proceeds ahead of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago later this month.
Harris, 59, a trailblazer as the first Black and South Asian woman to lead a major US political party’s ticket, stands poised to make history.
A victory against Republican nominee Donald Trump in November would make her America’s first female president.
In 2016, Hillary Clinton was the first female candidate to lead a major US political party but was unsuccessful in her endeavour. In 2008, Barack Obama became the first black candidate to lead a major US political party and made history by becoming the first black president.
Harris ran unopposed in the race for the presidential nominee after current President Joe Biden stepped aside last month. Biden, former presidents Obama and Clinton, along with former firsts ladies Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton have endorsed Harris
Harris has officially clinched the nomination, surpassing the 2,350 delegate threshold.
In brief remarks, she stated, “We believe in the promise of America, and that’s what this campaign is about. We are on this road, and it’s not going to be easy, but we’re going to get this done.”
According to Democratic officials, 3,923 delegates, representing 99% of participants, plan to vote for her. The roll call, which began on August 2nd, will conclude on August 5th.
The DNC, typically a stage for formal nominations, faces a tight timeline against state ballot access laws due to its late August date. Harris hailing from Oakland, California, is the first Democratic nominee from a western state in nearly 200 years of party history.
Harris’s political ascent spans from San Francisco district attorney (2004-2011) to California attorney general (2011-2017), and then to US senator (2017-2021).
Despite easily winning the Democratic primary, Biden faced increasing pressure from within the party to withdraw after a lacklustre June debate against Trump.
The decision to conduct a virtual nominating process was made in response to Ohio’s ballot access rules, which necessitate formal candidate selection 90 days before the election.
While the state eventually granted an exemption, Democrats opted for an early roll call to avoid ballot access risks. Harris is expected to announce her running mate by the August 5th.
Potential running mates include Pete Buttigieg, Stacey Abrams, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, and Gretchen Whitmer, each bringing unique strengths to the ticket.
Harris’s popularity stems from her historic candidacy, broad appeal, strong debating skills, policy expertise, and Biden’s endorsement. Her resilience and ability to unite the party have further solidified her position as a leading figure in the Democratic Party.
The presidential election is set to be held on November 5th 2024.
Featured Image credit: Pexels Free Photos.
I am a third-year Politics and Journalism Studies student at the University of Stirling (2022-) and a writer and sub-editor for the Brig for over a year (Nov. 2023-), focusing mainly on political topics.
