Kamala Harris has officially secured the Democratic presidential nomination, surpassing the necessary delegate threshold in a virtual vote. She expressed her honour at becoming the presumptive nominee and emphasized the campaign’s commitment to the promise of America.
Harris, who has made history as the first Black and South Asian woman to lead a major U.S. political party, will face Republican nominee Donald Trump in the November election. If victorious, she would become the nation’s first female president.
Harris’s nomination was largely uncontested after President Joe Biden, who previously held the nomination, stepped down and endorsed her last month. Several potential challengers followed his lead, resulting in Harris running unopposed in the virtual roll call. On Friday, she officially secured the nomination by garnering the support of 2,350 delegates, the required threshold.
“We believe in the promise of America and that’s what this campaign is about,” Harris said upon reaching the milestone. “We are in this, we are on the road and it’s not going to be easy, but we’re going to get this done.”
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) will be held in Chicago from August 19-22. Although the convention’s late date risks potential conflicts with state ballot access laws, the virtual roll call was implemented to avoid complications. Ohio law requires candidates to be formally selected 90 days before the election, a deadline that prompted the early vote to ensure compliance.
As of now, 99% of delegates have committed to voting for Harris. The roll call, which began on Thursday, will conclude on Monday. Harris, born in Oakland, California, and a former state prosecutor, California Attorney General, and U.S. Senator, is the first Democratic nominee from a western state in the party’s history.
Delegates will not vote on the vice-presidential pick. Ms Harris is expected to name her running mate by Monday.