Kamala Harris launched her campaign for the White House, after President Joe Biden stepped down on Sunday under pressure from party leaders.
The vice president has received Biden's endorsement, and there is no challenger yet for the Democratic nomination, which will be formally determined at the party's convention scheduled for August 19 in Chicago.
“I am honored to receive the President’s endorsement, and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” Harris said in a statement. “I will do everything I can to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation — to defeat Donald Trump and his extremist Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. Together, we will win.”
In her statement, the vice president praised Biden's “extraordinary leadership,” saying he has accomplished more in one term than many presidents have in two.
“With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his lifetime of service: putting the American people and our country above all else,” Harris said.
Harris, a former California attorney general and senator, has deep ties to the entertainment industry. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, is a former entertainment lawyer. Her friends in the music business include Troy Carter and Daniel Glass.
During her short-lived 2019 presidential campaign, she led all Democratic contenders in Hollywood donations, with backing from Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams, Donna Langley and Nicole Avant.
Biden endorsed Harris shortly after dropping out of the presidential race.
“Today I want to express my full support for Kamala to be our party's nominee this year,” he said. “Democrats, it's time to come together and defeat Trump.”
Harris has also been endorsed by former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Biden's close aides have also indicated they will work to quickly unite the party behind Harris, with just weeks left before the convention and less than four months until the 2024 campaign ends.
“Now that donors and elected officials are pushing the only candidate who has ever defeated Trump, it’s time to end the political fantasy games and unite behind the only veteran of the national campaign — an outstanding Vice President, Kamala Harris!!,” Ron Klain, Biden’s former chief of staff, said on Channel X.
