US President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the 2024 presidential race in a development that sends the contest into uncharted territory.
President Biden announced on Sunday he will no longer be seeking a second term and has thrown his support behind US Vice-President Kamala Harris, urging Democrats to donate to her campaign as he pulled out.
President Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon on January 20th 2025.
He endorsed Ms Harris as the Democratic nominee and, referring to his Republican rival, he added: "Democrats - it's time to come together and beat Trump."
Ms Harris, who many are touting as the frontrunner to replace President Biden, said she was "honoured" to have the president's endorsement, adding "my intention is to earn and win this nomination".
US Vice President Kamala Harris delivers in Washington, 20-12-23. Image: NASA/piemags / AlamyShe thanked President Biden for his "extraordinary leadership" and for making a "selfless and patriotic act" by stepping aside.
The development comes after months of speculation about President Biden's age and fitness to serve another four years - amid a series of high-profile gaffes and a disastrous debate performance.
Ms Harris appears to be the natural successor, in large part because she is the only candidate who can directly tap into the Biden campaign's war chest of $96m (€88.1m) according to federal campaign finance rules.
Who's backing Kamala Harris?
The backing of President Joe Biden helps clear the way for her, but a smooth transition is by no means assured.
It remains to be seen whether other candidates could challenge Ms Harris for the nomination, or how the party may need to adjust its rules again to smooth Ms Harris's nomination on the floor.
The Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison has promised a "transparent and orderly process" in selecting its next candidate.
He said the Democrats will share more about "next steps and a path forward" shortly, adding: "The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear."
Former US President Barack Obama praised President Biden but has not endorsed Ms Harris to lead the Democratic Party - saying he has "extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges".
Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded – again – that he’s a patriot of the highest order.
Here’s my full statement: https://t.co/Bs2ZumFXxe— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 21, 2024
Former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined President Biden in throwing their support behind her, saying this was the best way to stop Donald Trump from re-entering the White House for a second term as president.
Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton pic.twitter.com/R7tYMFWbsu
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 21, 2024
Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania governor who was seen as a potential presidential candidate, endorsed Ms Harris on Sunday evening.
"The best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice-President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency," he said in a statement on X.
I will do all that I can to help elect @KamalaHarris the next President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/bHkiqpa7Lg
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) July 21, 2024
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also issued a statement backing Harris' bid, saying he would "do all that I can" to help elect Ms Harris as the next president.
Long-term friend of Ms Harris, Senator Chris Coons, is also backing the Vice-President and the Biden for President campaign has officially changed its name to "Harris for President" with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
Senator Elizabeth Warren said she's supporting Ms Harris because she's "ready to go toe-to-toe with Donald Trump and win" in a video posted to X.
I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. pic.twitter.com/UWMsVmOk8M
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) July 22, 2024
Adam Schiff, the Californian Democrat running for Senate, endorsed Ms Harris, saying she has the "judgment, experience, leadership, and tenacity to take on and defeat Donald Trump".
Other Democrats, including James Clyburn, a respected former leader in the party, Jasmine Crockett, Jamie Raskin, Eric Swalwell, Debbie Dingell and Mazie Hirono have also already backed Ms Harris.
Ms Harris now appears to have an uncontested path to the nomination with no other top Democrat announcing plans to enter the race yet.
Logistically, she makes a lot of sense to the Democratic Party. She already has the Biden/Harris infrastructure around her.
The prospect of a Harris candidacy also seems to have energised donors.
The Democratic fundraising organisation ActBlue said it has raised $46.7m (€42.9m) from grassroots supporters in the hours after Ms Harris launched her campaign.
Politically, this is uncharted territory, and so is a first woman of colour running for the White House.
Kamala Harris addresses supporters at a small event on the campus of the University of North Carolina. Image: USA TODAY Network/SIPA USA/PA ImagesRegarded as a pragmatic path-breaker, Ms Harris rose from local prosecutor to California's state Attorney-General and then to US Senator, before being picked as President Biden's running mate in 2020.
She has high name recognition and the highest polling among Democrats who could seriously be considered a candidate, sources within the Biden campaign told the Reuters news agency.
She would also take over money raised by the Biden campaign and inherit campaign infrastructure, which would be helpful should she seek to run for president.
However her personal approval ratings could prove a stumbling block.
One recent poll gave Harris a 29% favourability rating, with 49% rating her unfavourably, and 22% saying they had no opinion or hadn't heard of her.
There will likely now be a frenzy among Democrats as there's no protocol to choose a new candidate before the Democratic National Convention which starts on August 19th.
It takes a majority of the party's 4,000 or so delegates to win the nomination - and President Joe Biden secured about 3,900 in the primaries.
Reporting by: IRN
