US President Joe Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the 2024 Democratic nominee after announcing his decision to step down from his re-election campaign on Sunday. Initially, Biden did not include an endorsement for Harris in his statement but followed up shortly with his support.
“My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made,” Biden said. “Today 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.”
At 59, Harris would make history as the first Black woman to run at the top of a major-party ticket in the United States. It remains uncertain if other senior Democrats will challenge Harris for the nomination, as she is seen as the preferred choice by many party officials. The Democratic Party has yet to decide whether to open the field for other nominations.
Biden also confirmed on social media that he will continue his role as president until his term concludes in January 2025 and plans to address the nation this week. His announcement follows significant pressure from Democratic lawmakers and party officials after a poor performance in a June debate against Republican rival Donald Trump.
This move by Biden is historic, marking the first time a sitting president has given up the party’s nomination for reelection since President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. If Harris secures the nomination, it would be a groundbreaking move for the Democratic Party, presenting the first Black and Asian American woman as a presidential candidate in the nation’s history.