Senator Kamala Harris (D-California) has endorsed former Vice President Joe
Biden for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, reports the
Huffington Post and other media.
Harris, who dropped out of the race in December, announced her endorsement
in a video posted to Twitter on Sunday. On the flip side, political
activist Jesse Jackson said he was endorsing Senator Bernie Sanders
(D-Vermont). “There is no one better prepared than Joe to steer our nation
through these turbulent times, and restore truth, honor and decency to the
Oval Office,” Harris said in a statement. “He is kind and endlessly caring,
and he truly listens to the American people.”
Harris is the latest former Democratic presidential candidate to throw
support behind Biden. Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) endorsed him after suspending their
campaigns just ahead of Super Tuesday. Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who
ended his bid for the White House in November, and former New York City
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who dropped out of the race last week, have also
recently endorsed the former vice president.
Biden appeared to hint at Harris’ imminent endorsement during a campaign
rally Saturday in St. Louis. “To all of Amy’s folks, to all of Pete’s
folks, to all of Kamala’s folks, to all of the folks who have, Beto’s
folks, I’ll tell you what, what a gigantic difference it’s made,” he told
the crowd. “We’re gonna unite this party and unite this country.”
After disappointing showings in the first few Democratic primary contests
last month, Biden’s campaign got a major boost on Super Tuesday last week,
winning 10 of the 14 states up for grabs. Sanders won the other four
states, including the state with the most delegates up for grabs:
California. Harris was at times critical of Biden on the campaign trail.
Her criticism during a Democratic debate in June of Biden’s record on
racial segregation, including his previous remarks boasting about
collaborating with two segregationist senators during his time in the
Senate, marked the defining moment of the night.
“I do not believe you are a racist. And I agree with you when you commit
yourself to the importance of finding common ground,” Harris had said. “But
it was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States
senators who built their reputations and career on the segregation of race
in this country.”
She pointed out Biden’s previous opposition to busing programs that
integrated schools and recalled her own experience as a member of the
“second class to integrate her public schools” when she was a child. But
Harris struck a decidedly different tone in her endorsement on Sunday.
“We deserve a president with the knowledge and experience to reassure a
nation weary of tweets, lies and incompetence,” Harris said in her
statement. “And we deserve a president who speaks to the best of who we are
and challenges us to live up to our ideals. I believe in Joe Biden. and
will do everything in my power to help elect him the next president of the
United States.”