Kamala Harris Wins Delegate Support, Set to Face Trump in Election

Vice-President Kamala Harris has won the support of most Democratic delegates to become the party’s nominee for president. According to a survey by the Associated Press on Monday evening, she has more than the 1,976 delegates needed to win the nomination on the first round of voting.

This means Ms. Harris is set to be the Democratic nominee to face Republican Donald Trump in November’s presidential election. This will be officially confirmed when party delegates hold a roll call vote at next month’s Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago.

Delegates, who are chosen to represent their areas, have pledged their support for her, and it is unlikely to change. Since President Joe Biden left the race on Sunday, no one has stepped forward to challenge Ms. Harris. Biden faced increasing pressure from senior party members after a poor debate performance against Trump.

If the support for Harris stays strong until the votes are cast from August 1-7, she will officially become the party’s nominee. The AP survey shows the growing support for Harris after Biden dropped out. Since his announcement, her campaign has received millions in donations and endorsements from top Democrats.

Speaking to her campaign staff in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday evening, Ms. Harris targeted Trump. She referred to her early career as a prosecutor in California, saying, “I know Donald Trump’s type.”

She highlighted the differences between her campaign and Trump’s, stating, “One focuses on the future, the other focuses on the past. Donald Trump wants to take our country backwards… we believe in a brighter future that makes room for all Americans.”

Ms. Harris also praised Biden’s achievements, calling her time as his vice-president “one of the greatest honors of my life.” Before she spoke, Biden made his first comments since leaving the race. He thanked his aides and urged them to support Ms. Harris, calling her “the best.”

Biden, who is isolating due to Covid-19, spoke via phone call, expressing his confidence in Harris and his ongoing commitment to the campaign, emphasizing the importance of democracy.

Meanwhile, Trump’s new running mate, Senator JD Vance, criticized both Harris and Biden while campaigning in Virginia. He called Biden a quitter and one of the worst presidents in U.S. history, but reserved his harshest criticism for Harris, saying, “Kamala Harris is a million times worse and everybody knows it. She supported all of Joe Biden’s failures and lied about his ability to serve as president.”