Sunday’s Urgent Push
Less than three hours after President Joe Biden announced his exit from the 2024 presidential race, the California Democratic Party was already rallying support for Kamala Harris.
Rusty Hicks, the chair of the state party, sent an urgent email urging delegates to back Harris for President.
This was part of a fast-moving effort to secure Harris’s support, as revealed by interviews with over 20 delegates.
A Rapid Mobilization
Party leaders quickly used phone calls and text messages to urge delegates to support Harris.
Many delegates were surprised by the swift and determined outreach from the party, given the timing right after Biden’s endorsement.
However, many were already on board with supporting Harris, recognizing her as the Vice President from California.
California’s Influence
California, with the most delegates at the upcoming national convention, was crucial for Harris.
Andrés Ramos, chair of the Sacramento County Democratic Party, emphasized that California’s delegates have known Harris the longest and have consistently supported her.
According to the source, this strong backing from her home state was vital for her campaign.
Delegate Reactions
The party’s efforts continued into Monday. Despite some quiet dissent among delegates, most appeared to be aligning with the state party’s push.
Michael Vargas, a Sacramento delegate, noted that while the party can be chaotic, there seemed to be a strong consensus behind Harris.
The Endorsement Vote
On Monday evening, delegates held a virtual meeting to endorse Harris. Out of California’s 496 convention delegates, 424 had previously pledged to Biden. With Biden out, these delegates were free to choose another candidate.
Concerns were raised during the Zoom call about procedural issues, but former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced the motion to endorse Harris. After the meeting, Hicks reported that over 80% of delegates had pledged support for Harris.
Biden’s Influence
The debate over Biden’s future had created uncertainty within the party, but Harris’s supporters were ready to act quickly.
The endorsement from Biden himself added weight to Harris’s campaign, and her fundraising efforts were also impressive, raising a record-breaking $81 million by Monday afternoon.
Other Democratic Figures
Not all prominent Democrats immediately endorsed Harris. Speculation about other potential candidates, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, was a topic of discussion.
Newsom’s eventual support for Harris helped to end rumors about his own presidential ambitions. Similarly, Nancy Pelosi’s endorsement further solidified Harris’s position.
Ongoing Support
While most delegates were quick to support Harris, some, like Savonnda Blaylock, needed more time to make an informed decision.
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However, the general sentiment among delegates was one of unity and support for Harris as the clear successor to Biden.
Conclusion
California’s Democratic leaders have worked hard to ensure a smooth transition of support to Kamala Harris.
Their rapid mobilization and the strong backing from Biden and other key figures underscore Harris’s strong position as the likely Democratic nominee.