US Vice President Kamala Harris has effectively clinched the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, marking a significant milestone in her political career as she prepares for a high-stakes showdown against Republican Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Harris emerged as the sole candidate on the ballot during a five-day electronic voting process that engaged nearly 4,000 party convention delegates, confirming her status as the presumptive nominee.
The official announcement will be made at a Democratic convention in Chicago later this month.
“I am honoured to be the presumptive Democratic nominee for President of the United States,” Harris stated during a phone-in to a celebratory gathering, expressing her gratitude after securing the necessary votes by the second day of the voting marathon.
Harris’s rise comes on the heels of President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race, allowing her to seize control of the party without any serious challengers stepping forward.
Her confirmation as the first Black and South Asian woman to secure a major party’s nomination is a historic achievement, marking a new chapter in American politics.
As she gears up for her campaign, Harris is set to embark on a tour across seven critical battleground states next week.
The announcement of her running mate is expected soon, adding to the excitement surrounding her candidacy.
The Democratic Party opted for a virtual nomination process reminiscent of the pandemic-affected 2020 elections due to Ohio’s impending August 7 deadline for submitting certified candidate names for the November ballot.
This virtual roll call effectively kickstarts the official proceedings of the 2024 convention, although the festivities will commence in earnest when thousands of party supporters gather in Chicago on August 19.
Harris’s campaign strategy is poised to feature ceremonial votes for herself and her running mate, creating an atmosphere of celebration as she transitions from state politics to the forefront of the national ticket.
Trump’s campaign has faced turbulence since Biden’s withdrawal on July 21, as the former president now contends with a formidable opponent in Harris, who has already shattered fundraising records and energised Democratic supporters.
Her popularity has led to a resurgence in polls, reversing Trump’s earlier advantages over Biden and generating significant momentum as she heads towards the convention.
Her first public appearance alongside her running mate is scheduled for Tuesday in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a vital swing state in the upcoming election.
Notably, Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, is among the candidates being considered to potentially join Harris on the ticket.
Harris’s campaign will take her through key “blue wall” states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, where she aims to rebuild the coalition that propelled Biden to victory in 2020.
Moreover, her itinerary will extend into the racially diverse Sun Belt and southern states, including Georgia, North Carolina, and Nevada, as she seeks to solidify support from Black and Hispanic voters, demographics that have been increasingly crucial in recent elections.
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