Vice President Kamala Harris secured enough delegates Monday to earn the Democratic Party’s nomination, and raised more than $81 million—a record sum for the 2024 political cycle. Ms. Harris also spoke Monday at a White House celebration with the NCAA championship teams, her first appearance since President Joe Biden announced he was leaving the presidential race.
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Harris Has Enough Delegate Support to Become Democratic Party Nominee
Ms. Harris has secured the support of enough Democratic delegates to become her party’s nominee against Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump after President Biden dropped his bid for reelection.
Ms. Harris, who was endorsed by President Biden minutes after he announced he would not accept the Democratic nomination, worked to quickly lock in the support of her party’s donors, elected officials, and other leaders, and has so far received support from at least 2,214 delegates.
Biden to Return to White House, Harris to Hit Campaign Trail
President Biden is set to return to the White House on Tuesday after spending six days at his beach home in Delaware convalescing from COVID-19. President Biden became ill while campaigning in Las Vegas last week, and went to his vacation home to isolate.
Ms. Harris, meanwhile, will head to the battleground state of Wisconsin as her campaign for the White House kicks into high gear.
The event in Milwaukee will be her first fully-fledged campaign event since announcing her candidacy on Sunday.
AFL-CIO Endorses Harris
The AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the United States, unanimously endorsed Ms. Harris for president on Monday.
“From day one, Vice President Kamala Harris has been a true partner in leading the most pro-labor administration in history,” AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler said.
“At every step in her distinguished career in public office, she’s proven herself a principled and tenacious fighter for working people and a visionary leader we can count on.”
Comprised of 60 unions and more than 12.5 million workers, the AFL-CIO marks a major labor endorsement, key to locking in votes in battleground states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
The AFL-CIO had previously endorsed President Joe Biden before he pulled out of the 2024 presidential race.
Kansas DNC Delegates Vote to Support Harris
Kansas delegates for the DNC met virtually Monday evening and agreed to give all 44 of the state’s votes on the presidential nomination to Ms. Harris.
“We are united in our endorsement,” the delegation’s leader, state party chair Jeanna Repass, said after the meeting. “Time is not our friend. We have got to be united.”
Ms. Repass rejected suggestions—including some from Republicans—that the Democratic Party is ignoring the will of its primary voters. She said primary voters who backed President Biden understood that Ms. Harris would be president if something happened to the president.
She said there is still time for other candidates to come forward if they can get enough delegates to sign onto their efforts.
“This has already been adjudicated through the primary process,” Ms. Repass said. “That’s why you’re seeing us come together so quickly. She has been our choice since 2020, and she is still our choice today.”
Harris Lays Out Vision to Campaign Staff
Ms. Harris appeared in Wilmington, Delaware, on July 22 to accept both President Biden’s endorsement and the established staff and network of the Biden–Harris reelection campaign.
She praised and thanked President Biden for his leadership, expressed confidence in her new staff, and outlined her vision for the next four years, should she ascend to the Oval Office.
“Together, we [will] fight to build a nation where every person has affordable health care, where every worker is paid fairly, and where every senior can retire with dignity,” she said, adding that building up the middle class would be a “defining goal” of a Harris presidency.
She promised to fight for the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, to take action against gun violence by passing universal background checks, red flag laws, and an assault weapons ban, and to pass pro-abortion legislation.
Ms. Harris said she hopes the campaign team will help elect a congressional majority who agrees that “government should not be telling a woman what to do with her body” and will pass a law that she will sign to “restore reproductive freedoms.”
Ms. Harris also named Jen O’Malley Dillon to run her campaign and asked Julie Chávez Rodríguez to stay on board.
“We are all here because we love our country, right? And we believe in our foundational principles,” she said in the beginning of her address to the staff. “We believe in freedom, and opportunity, and justice—not for some, but for all.”
“Over the next 106 days, we are going to take our case to the American people and we are going to win,” she said.
Biden Calls Campaign HQ Ahead of Harris’s Remarks
As Vice President Kamala Harris prepared to address her new campaign staff, President Joe Biden called in to speak with the staff and implore them to pledge their support to Ms. Harris.
He praised them for the dedication and sacrifices they made to help him with his reelection campaign, and said that he didn’t know of a better campaign organization in his political career.
He said that stepping aside for Ms. Harris had been the right thing to do.
“I’m hoping you’ll give every bit of your heart and soul that you gave to me to Kamala,” he said.
President Biden also assured his staff that “the name has changed [on] the top of the ticket, but the mission hasn’t changed at all,” and that he’s “not going anywhere.”
“I won’t be on the ticket, but I’m still going to be fully, fully engaged,” he said, adding that he will do “whatever Kamala wants me to do.”
He also expressed his commitment to completing his current term as president.
“I’ve got six months left in my presidency, and I’m determined to get as much done as I possibly can.”
Wisconsin Democratic Party Endorses Harris
The Wisconsin Democratic Party endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as its new presidential nominee on Monday in a statement posted to X.
The party said its members voted unanimously to back Ms. Harris after President Joe Biden pulled out of the race on Sunday. More than 90 percent of Wisconsin’s delegates have already pledged their support for her ahead of the convention on Aug. 19–22.
“Wisconsin Democrats are united, fired up, and ready to deliver Wisconsin for Kamala Harris!” the party wrote.
Harris Reports Raising $81 Million in First 24 Hours
The Harris campaign said on Monday that it had raised $81 million in the first 24 hours since the vice president announced her presidential bid on July 21.
Adding to the existing quarter of a billion-dollar war chest inherited from the Biden campaign, the money was raised through the Harris campaign, the Democratic National Committee, and joint fundraising committees.
The Harris campaign said it received donations from more than 888,000 grassroots donors in the past 24 hours, 60 percent of whom “made their first contribution of the 2024 cycle.”
The campaign also added 43,000 new recurring donors since Sunday, with “over half of these recurring donors signing up for weekly donations.”
The Epoch Times was unable to independently verify the new numbers, because the Federal Election Commission (FEC) filing is not due until next month.
The $81 million outpaces the nearly $53 million that former President Donald Trump raised after his criminal conviction in Manhattan earlier this year. It’s also higher than the roughly $72 million that President Joe Biden raised in the first quarter.
Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue said it processed nearly $67 million in donations on July 21 alone, and another $38 million through the mid-afternoon of July 22, according to a live donation tracker.
Schumer, Jeffries Issue Joint Statement on Harris, No Endorsement Yet
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) issued a joint statement addressing Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, but left out any endorsement.
“Vice President Kamala Harris is off to a great start with her promise to pursue the presidential nomination in a manner consistent with the grassroots and transparent process set forth by the Democratic National Committee,” they said.
The leaders acknowledged that Ms. Harris is “rapidly picking up support from grassroots delegates” across the country.
Mr. Schumer and Mr. Jeffries said they are looking forward to meeting the new Democratic frontrunner in person soon as they “collectively work to unify the Democratic Party and the country.”
AP Survey Finds Harris Now Backed by More Than Half of Delegates Needed to Win Nomination Vote
An AP survey finds that Vice President Harris has the support of more than half of the delegates she’ll need to take President Biden’s place at the top of the Democratic ticket.
Over 1,000 pledged delegates told The Associated Press or announced publicly that they plan to support Ms. Harris in a forthcoming vote to pick a new White House nominee.
Democratic National Committee rules most recently set 1,976 pledged delegates as the benchmark to win the nomination. Of the about 1,070 delegates who have spoken to the AP or announced their plans, fewer than 60 either declined to answer or said they were undecided. And Ms. Harris is the only Democrat to receive support from delegates so far.
Pat Chesbro, an Alaska delegate and former U.S. Senate candidate, said she could think of no better option than Ms. Harris at the top of the Democratic ticket. “People are doing their best to find the best candidate in this situation, which is pretty unusual,” she said. “I look forward to the convention and to seeing whatever the next phase is,” said Ms. Chesbro, a lifelong educator.
Bloomberg Honors Biden’s ‘Public Service,’ Does Not Endorse Harris
Mike Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City and a candidate in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, celebrated President Joe Biden’s “lifetime of honorable public service” in a statement on Monday.
“Stepping aside from this campaign is an act of selflessness that only a great patriot would do,” Mr. Bloomberg said.
“No matter what happens in November, history will record that he put the country’s interests ahead of his own to defeat a candidate who has always put his own interests ahead of the country’s.”
Mr. Bloomberg, a major donor to the Biden campaign, said Democrats “now have a chance for a fresh new start.”
He added that “while some elected leaders and party officials make their endorsements, there are still four weeks before the party’s more than 4,000 delegates convene in Chicago.”
“That is more than enough time for the party to take the pulse of voters, especially in battleground states, to determine who is best positioned to win in November and lead the country over the next four years,” the former mayor said.
Mr. Bloomberg said there is no need to “get a resolution right away” because the “decision is too important to rush” and the “election is too important to lose.”
Gov. Moore ‘Not Interested’ in Vice Presidential Nomination
While speaking with reporters on July 22, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he is “not interested” in seeking the vice presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention.
“I have expressed that I love my job, and I have no intention of leaving,” Mr. Moore said.
He said Vice President Harris will have a “very personal decision” on a running mate, with “wonderful options” to consider.
“I just know that I do not plan on leaving, I have no intention of leaving, I love my job, and I want to stay as the Governor of Maryland,” he added.
“I love the momentum we are seeing right now in the state of Maryland. I want to be the leader that helps continue pushing forward that momentum.”
Michigan Gov. Whitmer Not Interested In VP Slot
Shortly after endorsing Vice President Harris for president, Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, also confirmed that she did not want to be her running mate.
“I’m not planning to go anywhere,” Ms. Whitmer told Lansing, Michigan’s local CBS affiliate WLNS on July 22. “I am not leaving Michigan. I’m proud to be the Governor of Michigan.”
Pelosi Endorses Harris
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) endorsed Vice President Harris “with immense pride and limitless optimism for our country’s future” on July 22, stating that her support is “official, personal, and political.”
“Officially, I have seen Kamala Harris’s strength and courage as a champion for working families,” she said in her statement. “Personally, I have known Kamala Harris for decades as [someone] rooted in strong values, faith, and commitment to public service.
“Politically, make no mistake: Kamala Harris as a woman in politics is brilliantly astute—and I have full confidence that she will lead us to victory in November.”
Ms. Pelosi praised President Joe Biden for his decision to exit the race, as well as for his record. She also called for unity on the Democrat’s path to defeating former President Donald Trump.
Fetterman Endorses Harris
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) endorsed Vice President Harris for president on July 22.
He took to X in the early afternoon, posting a graphic that reads, “Let’s win this. Harris for President,” and stating he was “proud to support and be all in for the next president, Kamala Harris.”
The senator also shared a link to the Democratic PAC ActBlue, and called for more people to donate to the Harris campaign.
French President Macron Praises Biden
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote President Joe Biden a letter praising the “courage, spirit of responsibility, and sense of duty’” that led him to withdraw from the presidential race.
“Just after we commemorated together the 80th anniversary of D-Day, I share a hope that this spirit of partnership between the two coasts of the Atlantic continues to animate the historic relations between our two countries,” the letter reads, according to excerpts released Monday by his office.
Mike Pence Praises Biden’s Decision
Former Vice President Mike Pence on Monday praised President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection, and said that both parties should tamp down the political rhetoric.
“President Joe Biden made the right decision for our country and I thank him for putting the interests of our Nation ahead of his own,” Mr. Pence wrote in a post on X.
“After the assassination attempt on President Trump and President Biden’s decision to end his campaign, now is a time for leaders in both parties to project calm and send a message of strength and resolve to America’s friends and enemies alike that, whatever the state of our politics, the American people are strong and our American military stands ready to defend our freedom and our vital national interests anywhere in the world,” he added.
Harris Praises Biden at NCAA Event
Ms. Harris took a moment to praise the work of President Biden on July 22 during her remarks at an event celebrating the 2023–24 National Collegiate Athletic Association championship teams.
“Joe Biden’s legacy of accomplishment over the past three years is unmatched in modern history,” she said.
President Joe Biden is still recovering from COVID-19, but Ms. Harris said that “he’s feeling much better and recovering fast, and looks forward to getting back on the road.”
This was Ms. Harris’s first speaking engagement since President Biden announced that he is stepping aside and endorsing her as the Democrats’ 2024 nominee.
She said she first got to know the president through his son, Beau, who was attorney general in Delaware at the same time as her period as attorney general in California. She said that Beau Biden would talk about his father, and the kind of man he is.
“The qualities that Beau revered in his father, are the same qualities that I have seen every day in our president,” she said. “His honesty, his integrity, his commitment to his faith and his family, his big heart, and his love, deep love of our country.
“Our President Joe Biden fights for the American people, and we are deeply, deeply grateful for his service to our nation,” she added.
NC Gov. Cooper: ‘The Vice Presidential Conversation Needs to Occur Later’
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that he had a “great” conversation on Sunday with Vice President Harris about “winning this race.”
Mr. Cooper, a term-limited governor with a history of strong support for the Biden–Harris administration, is a possible contender to become Ms. Harris’s running mate, should she secure the nomination. Asked twice if he would consider being her running mate, Mr. Cooper instead said the focus needs to be on Ms. Harris alone this week.
“The vice presidential conversation needs to occur later,” Mr. Cooper said. “I want to make sure Kamala Harris wins. I’m going to work for her all over this country and do what I can to stop Donald Trump.”
Mr. Cooper also said he had a conversation with President Biden on Sunday, where he told him he had “cemented his legacy among the greatest of presidents.”
Gov. Beshear: Harris Called Him After Biden’s Announcement
“The vice president called me personally yesterday and called me within a couple of hours of President Biden’s announcement,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said. “And that meant a lot to me, to reach out to me personally and ask for my support.”
The Democratic governor said he had pledged his support to her.
“The rest of that conversation I said would stay between us,” he said.
Asked if she mentioned the No. 2 spot on the ticket, Mr. Beshear said: “I’m not going to get into any of those details, but the call was about asking for my support and I pledged it.”
Harris Heading to Delaware to Meet With Biden Campaign Staff
Ms. Harris is heading to Delaware to meet with staffers of President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign.
Her office says Ms. Harris would hold a “campaign engagement” event in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday afternoon. President Biden’s reelection campaign headquarters had been based there.
President Biden endorsed Ms. Harris shortly after announcing he was leaving the presidential race. The campaign announced it had raised $49.6 million in the hours after his announcement.
Ms. Harris is not yet the formal Democratic presidential nominee, but top Democratic Party elected officials and donors, as well as labor unions and leading advocacy groups, have endorsed her.
JB Pritzker Joins Midwestern Governors to Endorse Harris
Ms. Harris has been endorsed by four midwestern governors as the Democratic Party presidential nominee, including by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
“Vice President Harris has proven, at every point in her career, that she possesses the skills, strength, and character to lead this country and the vision to better the lives of all Americans,” he said in a statement on July 22. “From protecting women’s rights to defending American workers and strengthening the middle class, Vice President Harris is a champion of the American values we hold dear.”
The governor also said that he “will work hard to get her elected,” and that he believes Ms. Harris is the most qualified candidate to be president.
He also said he felt it would be important to elect a woman to the presidency.
Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also shared a statement from her PAC announcing a unified four-way endorsement with Mr. Pritzker and their fellow governors, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer Endorses Harris
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, whose name had been regularly mentioned as a possible replacement for President Joe Biden in the 2024 race, posted a statement on X endorsing Vice President Harris for the role.
“Today, I am fired up to endorse Kamala Harris for President of the United States,” Ms. Whitmer wrote.
“She’s a former prosecutor, a champion for reproductive freedom, and I know that she’s got Michigan’s back,” she added. “Vice President Harris has my full support.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Endorses Harris
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced his endorsement of Vice President Harris for president in an official statement on the morning of July 22.
“The American people deserve a champion who will continue the progress of the Biden–Harris Administration, and that’s why I am proud to voice my full support and offer my full endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee for president,” he said.
Mr. Moore went on to say that his decision “goes far beyond politics,” referring back to his interactions with the vice president after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore in March.
“She made clear that the entire nation stood with Maryland as we confronted one of the worst tragedies in the history of our state,” he said. “In that moment, she demonstrated not just her powers of leadership, but also her powers of empathy.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear endorses Harris
“The vice president is smart and strong, which will make her a good president,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said during a Monday morning appearance on MSNBC. “But she’s also kind and has empathy, which can make her a great president.”
Mr. Beshear praised Ms. Harris’s résumé as a former prosecutor, and said she’s ready to assume the presidency. He said he was willing to do everything he could to support her.
Asked if he would be open to potentially joining the ticket, Mr. Beshear said he loves his job as governor. “The only way I would consider something other than this current job is if I believed I could further help my people and to help this country,” he said.
Mr. Beshear defeated Trump-endorsed Republicans to win the governorship in 2019 and to win reelection last year in his Republican-leaning state.
Manchin Confirms He’s Not Running
The day after President Joe Biden exited the presidential race, Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) confirmed that he would not be the new Democratic Party nominee.
“I am not going to be a candidate for president,” Mr. Manchin told CBS Mornings on July 22.
The senator also said he believes Vice President Harris, who immediately earned President Biden’s endorsement, is too far left as a candidate, and that he would like to see a directional change.
He called for a “mini-primary” in choosing President Biden’s replacement.
“I think a lot of people would like to see a mini-primary,” Mr. Manchin said. “That’s the process—find out if you have the strongest candidate, whether it could be Kamala or whoever else.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Endorses Harris
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) also endorsed Ms. Harris, and called her “an unwavering champion for families, workers, and justice.”
Ms. Gillibrand, who ran against Ms. Harris in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, said in a statement Monday that the vice president is “incredibly well-qualified, with experience as a prosecutor, as a lawmaker, and as a leader on the world stage.”
“Now is the time to unite,” the senator said. “VP Harris has the grit and toughness to beat Donald Trump and I’m eager to join her in this fight.”
Epoch Times reporter T.J. Muscaro, Emel Akan, Jack Phillips, Jacob Burg, and Samantha Flom, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.