“Kamala Harris Will Be the Next President” Progressive Leaders Rally Behind Harris
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez / PHOTO: dimitrimr (CC)
Several progressive members of Congress and organizations have endorsed U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris following President Joe Biden’s announcement on Sunday that he is ending his reelection bid and supporting Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, reported By Raw Story.
Three of the four original “Squad” members—Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), and Ayanna Pressley (Mass.)—swiftly backed Harris to face former Republican President Donald Trump and his newly announced running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), in November.
“Kamala Harris will be the next president of the United States. I pledge my full support to ensure her victory in November,” said Ocasio-Cortez, who had previously expressed concern about some Democrats urging Biden to step aside after his debate performance. “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.”
Omar shared photos of herself with Harris on social media, expressing her excitement: “Thrilled to support Kamala Harris as our Democratic nominee and remain committed to working alongside her to defeat Donald Trump in November.”
Pressley also posted a photo with Harris and voiced her support on MSNBC. Unlike her colleagues, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), the only Palestinian American in Congress and a vocal critic of U.S. policies in the Gaza Strip, called for an open process at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, next month.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), who lost his primary to AIPAC-backed George Latimer, also endorsed Harris, calling her “the most qualified and best choice to lead us forward.”
Congresswoman Cori Bush (D-Mo.), facing an AIPAC-backed challenger in her upcoming primary, was the first Squad member to endorse Harris, issuing a statement: “When we say trust Black women, we mean it. 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 at this moment.”
Bush continued, “As we look forward to November, it is clear to me that Vice President Kamala Harris has the vision to carry this legacy forward and defeat Donald Trump, and I unequivocally endorse her for president of the United States.” Harris would be the first Black and Asian woman on a major U.S. party presidential ticket.
As The Detroit News reported:
Tlaib, who never endorsed Biden for president, in her statement said she looks forward to engaging with Harris as she tries to “inspire” the Democratic base in her district, saying she hopes this year’s convention “makes the candidates move with their base.””We are in unprecedented times but the demands of our constituents and people across the country remain the same: They want a president and government that is focused on saving lives, giving people the ability to thrive, and valuing the humanity of one another over bombs,” Tlaib said.
“I support a transparent democratic process at an open convention next month, and hope there is a fair vote on the resolution at the DNC that calls for an arms embargo to stop the Israeli government’s war crimes.”
Fellow Squad member Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) also quickly backed Harris, saying: “We have no time to waste—what’s at stake for communities like mine isn’t abstract. We need to unify and move forward to defeat Trump and fascism in November. That’s why I endorse and encourage unity behind Vice President Kamala Harris.”
Harris has also garnered support from Reps. Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-Fla.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), and the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) political action committee, co-chaired by Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). Other CPC leaders backing Harris include Reps. Greg Casar (Texas), Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.), and Barbara Lee (Calif.).
Over 150 Democrats in the House and more than 30 in the Senate, including Sens. Ed Markey (Mass.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Alex Padilla (Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), and Ron Wyden (Ore.), have endorsed Harris, according to a Newsweek tracker. Notably absent from this list is Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who thanked Biden for his service but did not endorse Harris.
Groups supporting Harris include the American Federation of Teachers, End Citizens United, Gen-Z for Change, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible, MoveOn, People’s Action, Reproductive Freedom for All, Service Employees International Union, and United Farm Workers.
The three lawmakers all individually endorsed her and said in a joint statement:
A critical partner in the legislative wins of the last four years, Vice President Harris has demonstrated her ability to deliver on the urgent issues facing working people and marginalized communities. Under her leadership, this country has created a record number of jobs, boosted investments in housing and education, increased access to capital for underserved communities, erased medical debt, and forgiven more student loan debt than any administration in history. She has worked tirelessly to demonstrate her commitment to creating an economy in which every person has the freedom to thrive, traveling the country nonstop to hear directly from impacted communities.Kamala Harris will defeat Donald Trump not only because she offers a stronger economic vision, but because she will defend the fundamental rights and freedoms that MAGA Republicans are attacking across the nation. As Republicans plot a right-wing takeover of our government with Project 2025, Kamala Harris is standing up for our nation’s highest values of freedom, justice, and equality for all.
As of 9:00 pm ET Sunday, “grassroots supporters have raised $46.7 million through ActBlue following Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign launch,” the Democratic fundraising platform announced. “This has been the biggest fundraising day of the 2024 cycle. Small-dollar donors are fired up and ready to take on this election.”
Forbes reported that deep-pocketed donors, including hedge fund billionaire George Soros and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, are also backing Harris. The Biden-Harris campaign, which updated its Federal Election Commission paperwork on Sunday, has $91 million.
