Top Democrats endorse Harris’ presidential bid

By Emma Siebold

Vice President Kamala Harris racked up endorsements from top Democrats in the week after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race. Biden endorsed Harris immediately: “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump” on his social media platforms. 

Congressional leaders like House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Shumer have also rallied behind Harris’ campaign, along with other representatives and state officials. 

Former President Barack Obama released a social media statement last week praising Biden and his leadership, though he did not originally endorse Harris for the presidency. On Friday, the Harris campaign released a video ad where former First Lady Michelle Obama called Harris and extended her support.

Now, the race is on for Harris to choose a running mate. According to CBS News, the Harris campaign plans to have picked a vice president by August 7. Potential candidates include Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Waltz. 

According to the most recent Emerson College Polling survey, Trump leads Harris by six points in a hypothetical matchup, with 49 percent of votes to Trump, 43 percent to Harris, and eight percent undecided. The poll also found that Republicans are more motivated than Democrats to vote in the election this year, with 78 percent of Republicans surveying as “extremely motivated” compared to 65 percent of Democrats and 63 percent of Independents. 

The Democratic National Convention starts August 19 in Chicago, but the DNC could confirm their nominee as soon as August 7 to meet ballot deadlines in certain states.