Harris Locks In More Than Half Of Delegates Needed To Win Nomination: Report

 Vice President Kamala Harris has gathered the support of more than half the delegates she needs to win the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination after President Joe Biden exited the race on Sunday, according to a new report.

The findings of an Associated Press survey released on Monday showed Harris getting the support of 1,152 delegates, indicating that she is fast approaching the 1,976 needed for her to become the nominee. Another 56 delegates were listed as undecided.

Sources told Reuters that Harris aims to secure a majority of the nearly 3,900 convention delegates by Wednesday as her campaign and allies work the phones in an effort to ward off any potential challengers.

Democratic National Committee Finance Chair Chris Korge, a Florida delegate, told the news outlet that Biden’s endorsement of Harris after he dropped out “has been very powerful in getting donors to give money and in delegates … to ultimately pledge for her.”

Harris is the only declared candidate seeking the Democratic Party’s 2024 presidential nomination at the moment. A number of party leaders have quickly rallied behind Harris. But not everyone has, including former President Barack Obama.

Still, top Democrats who have been talked about as possible successors to Biden — including Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA), Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), and Governor J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) — have rallied behind Harris.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is expected to have its delegates vote on a nominee next month during a virtual roll call or in an open convention at the party’s convention in Chicago from August 19-22.

 

If no one wins a majority of the delegates in an initial ballot, the more than 700 “superdelegates” would be permitted to join in the voting in subsequent rounds.

DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison said in a statement on Sunday that there would be a “transparent and orderly process” to pick a nominee who Democrats believe can defeat former President Donald Trump, the GOP’s presidential nominee.

“Team Harris” raised a record $81 million in the first 24 hours since Harris began running for the presidency, her campaign said in a statement, after Biden bowed out amid a pressure campaign by Democrats concerned about his age and apparent mental decline.