On Friday, US Vice President Kamala Harris secured the Democratic party’s presidential nomination, marking a historic milestone as she prepares to face Republican Donald Trump in November.
Harris, 59, became the first Black and South Asian woman to earn a major party’s nomination, following a five-day electronic vote by nearly 4,000 party convention delegates. Her nomination will be formally recognized at a convention in Chicago later this month.
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Harris expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am honored to be the presumptive Democratic nominee for president of the United States,” during a phone-in to a party celebration after receiving the necessary votes by the second day of the virtual vote.
Since Joe Biden ended his reelection bid two weeks ago, Harris has taken command of the party, breaking fundraising records, attracting large crowds, and closing the polling gap with Trump.
Biden expressed his pride on social media after her nomination.
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With her nomination secured, Harris is set to embark on a campaign tour across seven key election states next week, although her running mate has yet to be announced.
The Democratic Party opted for a virtual nomination process, similar to the one used in the 2020 pandemic-hit election, due to an early candidate submission deadline in Ohio.
The virtual roll call signals the start of the 2024 convention, with traditional festivities beginning when party members gather in Chicago on August 19.
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This event will feature a ceremonial vote for Harris, celebrating her journey from a California prosecutor to a presidential candidate.
Trump’s campaign faced disruption on July 21 when 81-year-old Biden, amid concerns about his age and declining poll numbers, withdrew and endorsed Harris.
Harris, 20 years younger than Trump, has quickly gained momentum, raising $310 million in July, more than double Trump’s total.
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Harris and her running mate are scheduled to rally in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state where Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro is a potential vice-presidential candidate.
Pennsylvania, along with Michigan and Wisconsin, was crucial to Biden’s 2020 victory and remains a key battleground.
Harris will also visit diverse Sun Belt and southern states, including Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada, to bolster support among Black and Hispanic voters.
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Her campaign has enlisted senior advisors from Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns, reflecting their ambitious approach.
In contrast to Biden’s appeals to the nation’s founding principles, Harris’s campaign focuses on the future, framing the race as a fight for “freedom” rather than the broader concept of “democracy.”
Her team has adopted a more aggressive stance, criticizing Trump for avoiding debates and highlighting his criminal record.
Despite her assertive campaign, Harris has not detailed her plans or given extensive interviews since entering the race, leaving voters without a clear understanding of her vision. Meanwhile, Republicans have struggled to formulate a consistent strategy against Harris, initially labeling her as too liberal before shifting to false accusations about her racial identity.
