Kamala Harris has made her first public appearance after US President Joe Biden dropped out of the election campaign. Harris is now receiving support from an increasing number of heavyweight Democrats.
Harris, who is backed by Biden as the new presidential candidate for the Democrats, held a speech at a public event in Washington for college championship teams from the 2023-2024 season.
President Joe Biden is doing much better today, Harris began, referring to the president's COVID-19 infection.
She then went on to praise Biden and his achievements, what he has accomplished during his nearly four years as President of the United States.
I am a firsthand witness to President Joe Biden fighting for our country every day.
Meets the team in Delaware
She is continuing on to Delaware for a meeting with her campaign team at its headquarters, she writes on X according to NBC News.
"One day done. 105 left. Together, we will win this."
Kamala Harris is not yet the official Democratic candidate. She spent over ten hours on Sunday calling around to Democratic leaders, congress members, governors, and others to seek support as a presidential candidate, according to a person in her circle.
Harris' campaign team announced on Monday that donations of $81 million, equivalent to approximately 860 million kronor, have poured into the campaign fund in the last 24 hours.
Supported by heavyweight names
An increasing number of heavyweight Democrats have come forward and expressed their support for Kamala Harris. Among the latest in line are veteran politician and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, reports AFP. Pelosi has previously expressed concerns about Biden's chances of defeating Trump.
Also, Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, as well as Governor of Illinois and billionaire, JB Pritzker.
"She is a former prosecutor, a champion of reproductive rights, and I know she has Michigan behind her," says Whitmer in a statement.
Several of the governors are seen as potential vice presidential candidates and running mates for Harris.
Among leading Democrats who have not yet backed Harris' candidacy are the Senate and House of Representatives group leaders, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. They will meet with Kamala Harris on Monday, reports BBC.
Jeffries promises that there will be more to say about "the way forward" when the meeting is over.
Biden called Harris
President Joe Biden revealed on Sunday that he is dropping out of the election campaign against rival Donald Trump. The decision came after a disastrous TV debate against Trump on June 27. 81-year-old Biden then gave a confused and weak impression, which caused great concern and dismay within the Democrats.
Biden, despite increasingly weakened support from leading Democrats, long stuck to his intention to complete his candidacy and election campaign against Trump.
When he decided to throw in the towel, one of the first to be informed was Kamala Harris.
