US Vice-President Kamala Harris has secured enough delegates to earn the Democratic Party's nomination as presidential candidate.
According to an Associated Press tally Ms Harris had 2,214 delegates, well beyond the simple majority needed to clinch the nomination on the first ballot.
In a statement she said she looks forward to "formally accepting the nomination soon".
"I am grateful to President Biden and everyone in the Democratic Party who has already put their faith in me, and I look forward to taking our case directly to the American people."
Tonight, I am proud to have earned the support needed to become our party’s nominee.
Over the next few months, I'll be traveling across the country talking to Americans about everything on the line. I fully intend to unite our party and our nation, and defeat Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/Bsq3N6pMAi— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 23, 2024
The survey is unofficial, as Democratic delegates are free to vote for the candidate of their choice and she will not be the official candidate until what is known as the roll call is completed, whether virtually or in person at the Democratic Party Convention from August 19th in Chicago.
It follows a ringing endorsement from US President Joe Biden who vowed he is "going to be working like hell" in his final months as US president to campaign for Ms Harris to be his successor.
He was speaking on Monday in a phone call to staff at the campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, in his first public comments since he announced at the weekend he would be quitting the 2024 White House race and endorsing his Vice-President.
Kamala Harris has posted this 'Harris for President' logo and slogan on her social mediaKamala Harris (59) is the only declared Democratic candidate so far to be the party's nominee ahead of November's election against 78-year-old Mr Trump.
President Biden (81) will return to the White House later today from his home in Delaware where he has been recovering from COVID.
He said on Sunday he was no longer standing for re-election after weeks of pressure from within his own party amid concerns about his health and fitness to serve another four years in office.
'I'm not going anywhere'
President Biden told supporters on the phone call: "I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to be out there on the campaign with her, with Kamala. I'm going to be working like hell. Both as a sitting president, getting legislation passed, as well as campaigning."
He added that even though "I won't be on the ticket... I'm still going to be fully, fully engaged".
"I've got six months left of my presidency, I'm determined to get as much done as I possibly can. Both foreign policy and domestic policy."
On supporting Ms Harris, he said: "I'll be doing whatever Kamala wants me or needs me to do... We're still fighting in this fight together."
He also hit out at Mr Trump, saying he was "still a danger to the communities, a danger to the nation".
US Vice-President Kamala Harris speaks at her campaign headquarters in Wilmington, 22-7-24. Image: Associated Press / AlamyMs Harris said President Biden created millions of jobs and "got the COVID pandemic under control".
She also said Biden "stood up" for democracy at home and abroad.
Discussing her time as a state prosecutor, she said she "took on perpetrators of all kinds".
She added: "I know Donald Trump's type, and in this campaign I will proudly put my record against his."
Ms Harris said: "Building up the middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency."
She also pledged an "assault weapons ban" and said she would fight for "reproductive freedom".
Kamala Harris funds
Earlier on Monday, at an event for college athletes in the White House grounds, Ms Harris said President Biden's legacy of accomplishment was unmatched in modern history.
Her campaign has said it has raised $81m (€74.3m) in its first 24 hours. The team said the 24-hour figure was the biggest of "any candidate in history".
The $81m is in addition to an existing, almost $250m (€229m) "war chest" which was raised "across the campaign, Democratic National Committee, and joint fundraising committees".
Kamala Harris has been working to secure endorsements from a majority of its delegates and if she wins the nomination, she will need to pick a running mate.
Several other potential Democratic challengers, including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, have all supported Ms Harris's bid.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also backed Ms Harris.
However, former US President Barack Obama has not announced who he wants to be the party's nominee.
President Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon on January 20th 2025.
Reporting by: IRN
