With less than 100 days to the presidential election, high-profile endorsements could prove pivotal in sustaining the momentum Kamala Harris has enjoyed since entering the race.
On Thursday, the Harris team launched its first campaign video, soundtracked by Beyoncé’s song Freedom. She is one of many celebrities, including George Clooney, who have backed Harris.
Barack Obama on Friday announced his support for Harris. “I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office,” he said in a phone call recorded and released by the Harris campaign.
Here are some of the key figures in the Democratic party who have already endorsed Kamala Harris to pick up the party’s presidential nomination in Joe Biden’s stead.
Gavin Newsom: Frequently tipped as a possible alternative to Biden in recent weeks, the California governor has backed Harris, saying “no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s vice-president”.
Pete Buttigieg: Biden’s transport secretary who ran for the Democratic nomination for 2020, said: “Kamala Harris is now the right person to take up the torch, defeat Donald Trump, and succeed Joe Biden as president. I will do all that I can to help her win this election to lead America forward as our next president.”
Josh Shapiro: The Pennsylvania governor said: “I’ve known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades. She has served the country honorably and is ready to be president.”
Gretchen Whitmer: The Michigan governor issued a statement describing herself as “fired up to endorse Kamala Harris for president of the United States”. Among other things, she added: “We cannot let Donald Trump anywhere near the White House. Let’s go!”
Chris Coons: The Delaware senator is a close Biden ally, and said on CNN: “I support Vice-President Harris. I am very hopeful that we will come out of our convention next month united.”
Nancy Pelosi: The California congresswoman and former US House speaker said she endorsed Harris’ presidential run with “immense pride and limitless optimism”. She added: “I have full confidence that she will lead us to victory in November.” Pelosi’s endorsement of Harris came after she spent time trying to persuade Biden to forego his re-election campaign.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: The New York congresswoman wrote in a statement: “Kamala Harris will be the next president of the United States. I pledge my full support to ensure her victory in November. Now more than ever, it is crucial that our party and country swiftly unite to defeat Donald Trump and the threat to American democracy. Let’s get to work.”
Cori Bush: The Missouri representative backed Harris to the hilt, saying: “Black women are the backbone of the Democratic party and it is past time for us to lead our country forward. Kamala Harris is more than ready to lead this moment.”
Jamaal Bowman: The New York congressman called Harris “the most qualified and best choice to lead” the Democratic party forward in November’s presidential election.
Andy Beshear: The recently re-elected Kentucky governor, who had been thought of as a contender to replace Biden on the ticket, supported Harris by describing her as a unifier in partisan times. He told MSNBC’s Morning Joe program: “The contrast between her and those running on the other side couldn’t be clearer.” He also told Bloomberg he would consider joining Harris as a running mate.
JB Pritzker: The Illinois governor, who also had been thought of as a potential candidate to replace Biden, said in a statement that he was “proud to endorse” Harris for president. He added that she “has proven, at every point in her career, that she possesses the skills, strength and character to lead this country and the vision to better the lives of all Americans”.
Wes Moore: The Maryland governor, rumored to have presidential aspirations, said he was endorsing Harris because he believed she “will move us forward, toward a brighter future for all”. He also said: “She is the fighter we need at this moment to realize the full promise of our nation.”
Dick Durbin: The Democratic majority whip is the second highest-ranking lawmaker in the Senate. He said: “Proud to endorse my former Senate colleague and good friend, Kamala Harris. Our nation needs to continue moving forward with unity & not Maga chaos.”
Katherine Clark: The party’s second highest-ranking lawmaker in the House of Representatives, has endorsed Harris, saying: “Vice-President Kamala Harris has held criminals accountable her entire career – and Donald Trump will be no different.”
Kirsten Gillibrand: Describing Harris as “my friend”, the New York senator said “I’m proud to endorse her – and I’m eager to join her in this fight.”
Amy Klobuchar: Stating that Harris had served “with honor and distinction”, the Minnesota senator said “she will be the candidate to bring us together to win in November.”
The New York Times has tallied that there are 268 elected Democrats publicly supporting Harris so far, including 45 senators, 23 governors and 200 representatives.
Notable absentees from the list of those explicitly supporting her so far include Bernie Sanders, who paid tribute to Biden’s decision and said he will do “everything I can” to ensure Harris defeats Trump, but stopped short of an outright endorsement. . Furthermore, Rashida Tlaib – the US House representative, first Palestinian American congresswoman and a vocal critic of the president’s handling of Israel’s war in Gaza – had not made an endorsement of Harris.
Several other party grandees have swung behind Harris.
Barack Obama: The former president was joined by wife Michelle, the former first lady, in a phone call with Harris that was filmed and released by her campaign on Friday.
Bill and Hillary Clinton: The former president and former secretary of state and defeated candidate in 2016 Hillary Clinton issued a joint statement which said: “Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we’ve got to elect.”
Elizabeth Warren: The veteran senator also voiced her support, saying: “When you’re up against a convicted felon, who better than a former prosecutor to take it straight to Donald Trump? She’s ready to do this job, and she’s going to win.”
Joe Biden: In a post after he announced his decision to withdraw from the race, Biden said: “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. Let’s do this.”
Ramon Antonio Vargas contributed
