Kamala Harris gains support of enough Democratic delegates to become party nominee
Kamala Harris confirms she will face off against Donald Trump to try and win the White House in November, as ITV News reporter Caroline Lewis reports
Vice President Kamala Harris has confirmed she has secured the support of enough Democratic delegates to become the party’s presidential nominee.
It follows several top Democrats rallying behind her in the aftermath of President Joe Biden’s decision to drop his reelection bid.
She said in a statement on social media: "This election will present a clear choice between two different visions. Donald Trump wants to take our country back to a time before many of us had full freedoms and equal rights.
"I believe in a future that strengthens our democracy, protects reproductive freedom and ensures every person has the opportunity to not just get by, but to get ahead."
Several state delegations met late Monday to confirm their support for Harris, including Texas and her home state of California.
By Monday night, Harris had the support of more than the 1,976 delegates she’ll need to win the Democratic nomination, according to the AP tally.
It marks an attempt by the party to put weeks of divisions over Biden's future behind them and to unify as they look to beat Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Biden will address the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday evening on his decision to drop his 2024 Democratic reelection bid.
Posting on X, he said that he would speak “on what lies ahead” and how he will “finish the job for the American people.”
The president is scheduled to return to the White House on Tuesday after isolating at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, home after being diagnosed last week with Covid-19.
Sarah Palin tells Tom Bradby what Kamala Harris becoming presidential candidate could mean for the Democrats - and what she believes Harris' chances are against Trump.
With just over 100 days until Election Day, prominent Democratic elected officials, party leaders, and political organizations have quickly thrown their support behind Harris.
On Monday, Harris said: “Predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own game.
“So hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump’s type.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lent her “enthusiastic support” to Harris’ effort to lead the party.
After Biden's exit from the presidential race, her campaign set a new 24-hour record for presidential donations raising $81 million on Monday.
However, her nomination is still not 100% guaranteed.
In order to become the official Democratic she would need to win a majority of delegates at the party's convention in August.
Harris told AP in a statement: "(I'm) grateful to President Biden and everyone in the Democratic Party who has already put their faith in me, and I look forward to taking our case directly to the American people.”
Almost all of Harris' rivals for the Democratic nomination have also rallied behind her including California governor Gavin Newsom and Kentucky governor Andy Beshear, former house speaker Nancy Pelosi and Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer.
However, former President Barack Obama has yet to announce who he is backing as the Democratic presidential nominee.
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