(TheIndependentStar.com) – After winning enough delegates through online voting to secure the nomination, Kamala Harris announced that she was “honored to be the presumptive Democratic nominee.”
“I will officially accept your nomination [this] week, once the virtual voting process is closed, but I’m happy to know we have enough delegates to secure the nomination,” Harris told her supporters during a call.
Delegates had until today to submit their virtual ballots, but by Friday afternoon, Harris had already reached the number needed to clinch the nomination.
Although the Democratic National Convention (DNC) is set for August 19 in Chicago, delegates are voting online beforehand to meet an upcoming ballot access deadline in Ohio.
Democrats will still hold a traditional roll call vote at the convention, but it will be symbolic.
Moreover, Harris will make history as the first Black woman and first Indian-American to be a major party’s presidential nominee.
This development follows the party’s quick rally behind Harris after Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the race last month.
In addition, what could have been a competitive nomination battle instead turned into a coronation for Harris, who quickly gained backing from Democrat delegates, party leaders, and potential rivals after Biden decided to step aside.
Harris received significant endorsements from Biden, former President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.
In just over 24 hours after Biden’s exit, Harris had secured enough delegate pledges to become the party’s nominee against former President Donald Trump.
Currently, according to a RealClearPolitics polling average, Trump holds a narrow 1.2%-point lead over Harris.
Since entering the race last month, Harris has raised over $200 million, including $100 million within 48 hours of Biden’s withdrawal.
Additionally, before Biden’s announcement to end his campaign, more than 30 members of Congress had urged him to step down.
Democrat lawmakers and others had pressured him for weeks to make way for a younger candidate due to concerns about his mental acuity, which intensified following his poor debate performance.
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