Kamala Harris Clinches Democratic Nomination Amid Wave of Endorsements

Kamala Harris has secured the Democratic Party's presidential nomination after receiving extensive support from delegates, lawmakers, governors, and advocacy groups. With President Biden withdrawing from the race, Harris looks forward to formally accepting the nomination. She has begun her campaign, emphasizing her legal experience and promising to unite the country.

Kamala Harris has drawn the backing of enough delegates to become the Democratic Party's nominee for president, US media reported on Tuesday. The vice president received endorsements from potential rivals, lawmakers, governors, and prominent advocacy groups.

Harris, of Indian and African heritage, surpassed the 1,976 pledged delegates required to win the nomination on the first ballot, as reported by CNN on the initial full day of her campaign.

"I look forward to formally accepting the nomination soon," Harris, 59, stated late Monday, following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race for the White House and his endorsement of Harris.

As party officials prepared to finalize the nomination process ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from August 19-22, media reports indicated that the next major question is who Harris will choose as her running mate.

Harris, holding a campaign event in Milwaukee on Tuesday, declared her claim to the party's leadership with a powerful speech Monday evening at the campaign's headquarters in Delaware.

"We have 106 days until Election Day, and we have hard work ahead," she told her team, assuring that those who worked on the Biden campaign would stay on board.

She laid out her case against her Republican rival, Donald Trump, discussing his scandals and legal troubles. Citing her experience as a district attorney and California attorney general, Harris emphasized that she has dealt with various perpetrators, saying, "I know Donald Trump's type."

Harris highlighted President Biden's accomplishments and called her tenure as vice president "one of the greatest honours of my life."

Reflecting on their journey, Harris acknowledged the "mixed emotions" due to Joe Biden's withdrawal, promising to work hard to earn the presidential nomination and unite the Democrats and the nation.

Her campaign raised USD 81 million on her first day as a candidate, marking the highest 24-hour fundraising total ever, with contributions from over 880,000 grassroots supporters.

Harris has been endorsed by four key Midwestern governors and several others, including Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota's Tim Walz, and California's Gavin Newsom. Additionally, she has the backing of more than 40 Democratic senators and almost 100 House members, with significant endorsements from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries anticipated soon.

Among her supporters are major political arms like the Congressional Black Caucus and key labor unions.

Harris was a senator from California before serving as vice president. Born to immigrant parents—a Jamaican father and an Indian mother—Harris was seeking reelection as vice president until Biden's withdrawal.

(With inputs from agencies.)