President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the US election and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. Many Democrats have supported Biden’s decision and voiced their support for Harris, but some prominent figures have refrained from endorsing her.
Let’s take a look at who supported Harris and who didn’t.
Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton
Former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was the Democratic nominee in 2016, endorsed Harris for president in a joint statement.
“Now is the time to endorse Kamala Harris and fight with all our might to get her elected,” the Clintons said in a joint statement posted to X. “The future of America depends on it.” The couple also praised Biden’s record of accomplishments and his performance as president.
Statement by President Clinton and Secretary of State Clinton pic.twitter.com/R7tYMFWbsu
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 21, 2024
Governor: All the big ‘challengers’
Several prominent Democrats, including some who were previously considered potential party nominees, have also endorsed Harris, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
“At a time when our democracy and future are at stake, there is no one better suited to lead the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision,” Newsom said in a statement on X. The post came more than five hours after his first response to Biden’s decision to withdraw from the election.
Tough. Fearless. Tenacious.
At a time when our democracy and future are at stake, there is no one better suited than the Vice President of the United States to denounce Donald Trump’s dark vision and steer the country in a healthier direction. Kamala Harris.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 21, 2024
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer initially issued statements praising Biden, but the next day announced their support for Harris.
The two were also seen as potential challengers to Harris for the Democratic nomination after Biden dropped out.
Governor Whitmer, who has had several high-profile feuds with Trump and recently faced off against Republican candidates again on issues such as abortion rights, has served as Michigan’s governor since 2019 after serving several terms in the state legislature. She also serves as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.
“Today, I’m not only excited to endorse Kamala Harris for president of the United States, but I’m proud to serve as co-chair of her campaign,” she announced on X.
While Michigan is popular as a battleground state, Pritzker’s home state of Illinois is a Democratic stronghold. The former lawyer won two terms as governor and served as co-chair of Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign.
Other prominent Democrats, including Buttigieg and Beshear,
Pete Buttigieg, Biden’s Cabinet pick for transportation secretary and his 2020 Democratic rival, also endorsed the vice president.
“Kamala Harris is now the right person to take up the baton, defeat Donald Trump and succeed Joe Biden as president,” he said in a statement posted to X.
Other governors who have endorsed Harris include Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Jared Polis of Colorado and Andy Beshear of Kentucky.
I will do my best for the election. Kamala Harris The next President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/bHkiqpa7Lg
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) July 21, 2024
Progressives, including AOC
Speaking from New York, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez voiced her full support for Harris, saying, “Now more than ever, it is vital that our party and our country come together quickly to defeat Donald Trump.”
Like Ocasio-Cortez, Reps. Cori Bush and Ilhan Omar, who are part of the party’s progressive wing known as “The Squad,” also endorsed Harris.
Kamala Harris will be the next President of the United States, and I pledge to do everything in my power to help ensure her victory in November.
Now, more than ever, it is important that our party and our nation come together quickly to defeat Donald Trump and the threat to American democracy.
Let’s get to work.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 22, 2024
Elizabeth Warren and other Senate Democrats
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, R-Massachusetts, who also ran for the Democratic nomination in 2020, also endorsed Harris. “She’s a proven fighter,” Warren said.
“Mr. Vice President, we stand ready to help,” Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz wrote on X.
Other Senate Democrats who endorsed Harris include Mark Warner of Virginia, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Alex Padilla of California and Patty Murray of Washington state.
She has also been endorsed by Tina Smith of Minnesota, and by incumbent Sens. Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Jacky Rosen of Nevada. Both Brown and Rosen face major challenges in the upcoming elections.
At least 26 Democratic senators have endorsed Harris, more than half of the party’s 51 senators, according to local media reports.
I support Vice President Kamala Harris. pic.twitter.com/UWMsVmOk8M
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) July 22, 2024
Democratic National Convention Delegates
Delegates from several states attending the Democratic National Convention voiced their support for Harris.
The final decision on whether Harris will stay will rest with the roughly 4,000 delegates who will vote for the next president in August. They had previously pledged their support for Biden, but they are under no obligation to support his choice.
But at least 531 delegates have reportedly pledged their support for Harris, including those from Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Meeting today, Tennessee’s delegation to the 2024 Democratic National Convention voted in support. Kamala Harris To the President of the United States.
— Tennessee Democratic Party (@tndp) July 21, 2024
Donors
ActBlue, the Democratic Party’s main fundraising platform, reported a surge in donations following Biden’s announcement.
The group said it raised more than $27.5 million “in the first five hours of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.”
NEW: In the first five hours of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, small donors raised more than $27.5 million on ActBlue, as grassroots supporters are eager and enthusiastic to endorse Harris for the Democratic nomination.
— Act Blue (@actblue) July 21, 2024
Black lawmakers and state attorneys general endorse Harris
Harris has been endorsed by the influential Congressional Black Caucus and six of the nation’s black state attorneys general.
Reps. Gregory Meeks and Steven Horsford said in a statement that Harris “will do a great job” as president of the United States, while the state’s attorney general said there was “no one better qualified to lead and continue to uphold the values of our great nation.”
Is there anyone who doesn’t support Harris?
Barack Obama
Former President Barack Obama praised Biden as “one of the most important presidents in American history” but did not endorse Harris as his successor.
“We will be navigating uncharted territory,” Obama said in a statement, “but I have extraordinary confidence that the leadership of our party can create a process that will produce excellent candidates.”
Joe Biden is one of America’s greatest presidents and a dear friend and partner to me, and today we were also reminded that he is a patriot of the highest order.
My full statement is here: https://t.co/Bs2ZumFXxe
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 21, 2024
Nancy Pelosi
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remained silent.
Pelosi stressed the need for an open process to choose the party’s nominee “to avoid the appearance of a coronation for Kamala,” according to a report from Politico, who reportedly was a key figure in the campaign to persuade Biden to drop out of the race.
Chuck Schumer
The Senate Majority Leader also praised Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race but was silent on Harris’ nomination.
Joe Biden is not only a great president and a great legislative leader, he is also a truly incredible human being. Of course his decision was not an easy one, but he has once again put his country, his party, and our future first.
Joe, today you proved you are a true patriot and a great American.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 21, 2024
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
House Majority Leader Jeffries also refrained from mentioning Harris in his initial statement.
“America is better off now because President Joe Biden has led us with intelligence, grace and dignity,” Jeffries said.
My Statement on President Joseph R. Biden Jr. pic.twitter.com/FyHiIn51Kz
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) July 21, 2024
