As President Joe Biden’s surprise decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party, key congressional leaders quickly rallied behind his chosen successor, Vice President Kamala Harris. Within minutes of Biden’s announcement, Harris earned the support of influential lawmakers, including the leaders of the black and Hispanic caucuses, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the New Democrat Coalition.
While some senior Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, remained silent on the question of who should replace Biden, Harris secured endorsements from other prominent lawmakers. Sen. Patty Murray, the president pro tempore of the Senate, and Rep. Jim Clyburn, a longtime Biden ally, both backed Harris’s candidacy.
The swift endorsements suggest that Democrats may avoid a contentious succession fight, but not all party members are convinced of Harris’s suitability for the top spot. Several lawmakers, including Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Sen. Peter Welch, have called for an open process to consider other potential contenders.
Meanwhile, outside of Congress, the Clintons have endorsed Harris, while former President Barack Obama has declined to weigh in “for now.” Jaime Harrison, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, has pledged a “transparent and orderly process” in the coming weeks, and Harris has vowed to “earn and win this nomination.”
[…] Harris Racks Up Endorsements as Democrats Rally Behind Biden’s Chosen Successor […]