Vice President Kamala Harris made a dramatic entrance into the 2024 presidential race yesterday (Monday), securing endorsements from nearly all remaining rivals, breaking fundraising records, and launching a sharp attack on former President Donald Trump. The swift and decisive moves positioned her as the de facto Democratic nominee, setting the stage for a high-stakes campaign battle.
On her first day as an official candidate, Harris attracted overwhelming support from Democratic leaders and secured more than the 1,976 delegates needed to clinch the nomination, according to the Associated Press. Although the delegates' support is not binding until they cast their votes between August 1 and August 7, the endorsement count signifies a strong start for Harris.
“I am proud to have secured the broad support needed to become our party’s nominee,” Harris declared in a statement. “I look forward to formally accepting the nomination soon.” She emphasized her commitment to earning the nomination through hard work and dedication.
The Vice President wasted no time in attacking Donald Trump, using her campaign launch as a platform to critique the former President. Speaking at her new campaign headquarters in Delaware, Harris evoked her early career as a prosecutor to underscore her readiness to confront Trump’s “type.” She drew parallels between her campaign and historical civil rights movements, asserting that Trump’s potential return would reverse key achievements and push the country backward.
In a significant move to consolidate her campaign apparatus, Harris appointed former Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. to oversee the selection of her vice-presidential running mate. This move underscores her intent to solidify her campaign’s leadership team and signal her readiness to lead the Democratic ticket.
Throughout the day, Harris and her team worked to mobilize support. She reached out to over 100 party leaders, including a notable call with Rev. Al Sharpton, who praised her readiness to face the challenges ahead. The campaign’s fundraising efforts were unprecedented, with Harris raising over $100 million between Sunday and Monday. The leading pro-Biden super PAC, Future Forward, also unlocked $150 million in pledges, further demonstrating the campaign's financial strength.
Harris’s campaign also saw endorsements from Democratic governors and key figures such as former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The transition from Biden’s re-election campaign to Harris’s candidacy was marked by a new donation portal and a rebranding of the campaign's online presence.
Amid the buzz surrounding her candidacy, speculation about potential vice-presidential picks began to circulate. Former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe hinted at his openness to joining Harris’s campaign, though he did not confirm any details. The field of possible running mates is expanding, with candidates like Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Governor Jared Polis being mentioned, although Whitmer has publicly declined interest.
As Harris prepares for the next steps in her campaign, including a key nomination meeting scheduled for Wednesday, she is expected to continue leveraging her strong fundraising and endorsement support to build momentum. Her campaign’s rapid and effective organization, combined with her strong critique of Trump, sets the stage for a competitive and high-energy race leading up to the Democratic National Convention in August.
President Biden, who has not been in the public eye recently due to illness, made a virtual appearance to support Harris, expressing his confidence in her ability to lead the Democratic ticket. “I am watching you, kid!” Biden’s virtual message read. “I love ya!”
As Harris moves forward, her campaign’s early success reflects both her readiness to take on the challenges ahead and her strategic positioning to mobilize support for the upcoming election.
* The New York Times contributed to this article.