US Vice President Kamala Harris has secured the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, solidifying her historic candidacy against Republican Donald Trump in the November elections.
Harris, 59, emerged as the sole candidate in a five-day electronic vote involving nearly 4,000 party convention delegates, concluding on Friday.
As the first Black and South Asian woman to receive a major party’s nomination, Harris will be officially recognized at a Chicago convention later this month.
“I am honored to be the presumptive Democratic nominee for president of the United States,” Harris expressed during a phone call to a party celebration after securing the necessary votes by the second day of the virtual vote.
Following President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek re-election two weeks ago, Harris quickly consolidated her position within the party, breaking fundraising records, filling venues, and overtaking Trump in the polls.
“I couldn’t be prouder,” Biden posted on X following her nomination.
Harris is set to begin her campaign tour next week, targeting seven crucial swing states, accompanied by her yet-to-be-named running mate.
The Democratic Party opted for a virtual nomination process, a departure from tradition, to meet an early deadline in Ohio for submitting certified candidates. This approach mirrors the procedure used during the pandemic-affected 2020 election.
The virtual roll call signals the official start of the 2024 convention, with traditional festivities set to commence when thousands of party members gather in Chicago on August 19.
The event will feature a ceremonial vote for Harris, celebrating her journey from California prosecutor to a groundbreaking candidate for the nation’s highest office.
