In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden has officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for the upcoming presidential election. This announcement came on Sunday after Biden declared he would no longer pursue a second term.
If Harris secures the nomination, she will make history as the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead a major political party’s ticket.
This endorsement follows a period of turmoil within the Democratic Party, triggered by Biden’s poor performance in a recent debate, which raised doubts about his capacity to serve another term. Faced with increasing pressure from his party, Biden decided to withdraw from the race.
Harris, as Biden’s running mate, is seen as the logical successor. She stands to gain the full support of Biden’s extensive political network and substantial campaign funds. Polls have indicated that Harris could perform better against Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, than Biden and other potential Democratic candidates.
However, if there are attempts to bypass Harris for other Democrats eyeing a 2028 run, it could provoke a backlash from her supporters and prominent Black Democrats. Despite previous challenges, Harris has recently received significant praise from within her party.
Throughout her vice presidency, Harris has faced difficulties defining her role, managing complex issues like voting rights and Central American migration. While her effort to strengthen the Voting Rights Act failed in Congress, her approach to migration drew criticism from both the right and the left.
Last year, concerns about Harris’s negative public perception led some Democrats to call for unity and support for her. Since Biden’s debate performance in June, Harris has taken on a prominent role in Biden’s campaign, particularly on reproductive health and the threat posed by Trump to democracy.
Harris’s allies argue that much of the criticism she faces stems from racism and sexism, being the first woman of color in such a high position. They believe that the nation is now recognizing the qualities in Harris that her supporters have long seen.
“Oftentimes Black women are not seen until they’re needed,” said LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter. “We’ve seen her constantly berated, marginalized, questioned. I think that the shift is because there’s a need.”
