Kamala Harris has officially secured the Democratic presidential nomination after receiving the necessary votes from party delegates. Speaking over the phone, Harris expressed her honor at being the presumptive nominee as the virtual roll call continues ahead of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago later this month. Harris is the first Black woman and the first South Asian woman to lead a major U.S. political party’s presidential ticket.
If she wins against the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, in November, she would become the first female president of the United States. Harris ran unopposed in the virtual roll call after President Joe Biden stepped aside last month and endorsed her, with several potential rivals following suit.
On Friday afternoon, Harris became the nominee after securing the support of 2,350 delegates, the required threshold. In brief phone remarks, she emphasized her commitment to the campaign and acknowledged the challenges ahead. Overall, 3,923 delegates, or 99% of participants, are expected to vote for her. The roll call began on Thursday and will conclude on Monday.
Typically, presidential and vice-presidential nominees are confirmed at party conventions, but the late timing of the 2024 DNC poses a risk of conflicting with state ballot access laws. Harris, 59, is the first Democratic nominee from a western state, having risen through the political ranks from San Francisco district attorney to California attorney general and then U.S. senator.
Although Biden had previously won the Democratic primary with little opposition, concerns about his age and a poor June debate performance against Trump led to increasing pressure within the party for him to step down. The decision to hold a virtual nominating process before the 19-22 August convention was made while Biden was still the presumptive candidate, in response to Ohio’s ballot access laws. This early roll call aimed to ensure the candidates’ eligibility for the November ballot.
Delegates are not required to vote on the vice-presidential choice, and Harris is expected to announce her running mate by Monday.
