US Vice-President Kamala Harris has secured the Democratic presidential nomination after a vote by party delegates. Speaking by phone, she expressed her honor in being the likely nominee as the virtual roll call continues before the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago later this month.
Harris is the first black and South Asian woman to be a major US political party’s presidential nominee. If she wins against Republican Donald Trump in November, she would become America’s first female president.
Harris ran unopposed in the virtual roll call after President Joe Biden stepped down last month and quickly endorsed her, followed by other potential rivals.
On Friday afternoon, she formally became the nominee after gaining the support of 2,350 delegates, surpassing the required threshold. “We believe in the promise of America, and that’s what this campaign is about,” she said in a brief phone statement as she reached the benchmark. Harris acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed determination to succeed.
In total, Democrats reported that 3,923 delegates, or 99% of participants, intend to vote for Harris. The roll call began on Thursday and concludes on Monday.
Presidential and vice-presidential nominees are usually confirmed at party conventions, but the late date of the 2024 DNC risks conflicting with state ballot access laws. Harris, 59, born in Oakland, California, is the first Democratic nominee from a western state in the party’s nearly 200-year history.
Harris, previously the first woman vice-president, has invited Trump to a debate, challenging him to say things to her face. She advanced from being San Francisco district attorney to California attorney general and then US senator.
Before dropping out, Biden easily won the Democratic primary without much opposition despite concerns about his age. He had the support of 99% of pledged DNC delegates. However, after a poor June debate performance against Trump, Biden faced increasing pressure to withdraw.
To comply with Ohio’s ballot access rules requiring candidates to be selected 90 days before the election, the decision was made to hold a virtual nominating process before the 19-22 August convention. Republican leaders in Ohio warned they would enforce the law, though lawmakers eventually granted an exemption.
Democrats chose an early roll call to avoid the risk of their candidates being excluded from the ballot. Delegates do not need to vote on the vice-presidential pick, and Harris is expected to name her running mate by Monday.
Critics, including the Trump campaign and some Republicans, argue that replacing Biden with Harris without her holding a press conference or sit-down interview is unprecedented.
Some have labeled it a “coup.” However, Harris has been actively campaigning since Biden’s endorsement, arguing against Trump at multiple rallies and fundraisers in key states.
In July, her campaign raised over $310 million, more than double the $138 million raised by Trump, marking the biggest fundraising haul of the 2024 election cycle so far .
Credit: BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4ng1my55vno