Vice President Kamala Harris has officially secured the Democratic presidential nomination after receiving the overwhelming majority of delegate votes in a virtual roll call, as confirmed by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in a statement released late Monday.
The roll call, which concluded on Monday evening, still requires certification by Convention Secretary Jason Rae, but the announcement has made Harris’s historic nomination virtually certain. The DNC highlighted the significance of this achievement, emphasizing the broad support Harris has garnered within the party.
“With the support of 99% of all participating delegates in the virtual roll call, Vice President Harris has historic momentum at her back as we embark on the final steps in officially certifying her as our Party’s nominee,” said Jaime Harrison, the DNC Chair, and Minyon Moore, the Chair of the Democratic National Convention Committee, in a joint statement. “We thank the thousands of delegates from all across the country who took seriously their responsibility throughout this process to make their voices – and the voices of their communities – heard.”
According to the DNC, Harris received 4,567 delegate votes, solidifying her position as the party’s nominee. This milestone marks Harris as the first Black and South Asian woman to lead a major party ticket, underscoring the historic nature of her candidacy.
Harris’s status as the party’s nominee was effectively secured last Friday when DNC Chair Jaime Harrison announced during a livestream call that Harris had garnered enough delegate votes through the virtual roll call to clinch the nomination. This confirmation was anticipated as Harris had been the only candidate who actively campaigned to succeed President Joe Biden following his withdrawal from the race. Moreover, she was the sole candidate who obtained the necessary delegate signatures to advance to the virtual roll call.
The convention delegates began voting virtually via email or phone from 9 a.m. ET on Thursday, with the process culminating at 6 p.m. ET on Monday. This extended virtual roll call was organized by the DNC to adapt to the evolving circumstances surrounding the nomination process.
Initially, the DNC had decided in May to conduct a virtual roll call due to uncertainties related to the deadlines for getting on the ballot in Ohio. Although the state legislature eventually addressed the issue, the DNC maintained that Republican lawmakers in Ohio were acting in bad faith, asserting that it was crucial to nominate the Democratic candidate earlier than the convention to avoid potential legal complications. Ohio leaders, however, have denied these allegations.
The roll call results reflect the strong backing Harris has within the Democratic Party, reinforcing her position as a unifying figure for the upcoming general election. With this near-unanimous support, Harris is poised to lead the party into the final phase of the campaign, with a focus on mobilizing voters and building on the momentum from her historic nomination.
As the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to be nominated by a major party for the presidency, Harris’s candidacy carries profound significance for the Democratic Party and the country at large. Her nomination represents a momentous step in American political history, highlighting the increasing diversity within the nation’s leadership ranks.
The DNC’s decision to proceed with a virtual roll call, despite the earlier uncertainties, allowed for a smooth and inclusive nomination process. This approach ensured that delegates from across the nation could participate fully, even amidst the logistical challenges posed by the current political landscape.
Looking ahead, the Democratic Party will now focus on officially certifying Harris’s nomination and rallying support for the general election. The party’s leadership, including Chair Jaime Harrison and Convention Chair Minyon Moore, expressed confidence in Harris’s ability to unite the party and lead it to victory in the upcoming election.
The final certification of Harris’s nomination is expected to be a formality, given the overwhelming delegate support she has already received. This formalization will mark the culmination of a nomination process that began with uncertainty but ended with a historic achievement.
As Harris prepares to embark on the next stage of her campaign, she will carry the weight of history on her shoulders, along with the hopes and aspirations of millions of Americans who see her nomination as a beacon of progress and change. The Democratic Party, unified behind its nominee, is poised to move forward with renewed energy and determination.
In the coming weeks, Harris will likely focus on outlining her vision for the country, building on her record as Vice President and her previous role as a U.S. Senator. The campaign will also work to galvanize voters, particularly those who are inspired by the historic nature of Harris’s candidacy.
With the official certification of her nomination on the horizon, Kamala Harris stands ready to lead the Democratic Party into the general election, carrying with her the support of a diverse and energized base. As the party’s nominee, she will seek to build on the momentum generated by her historic nomination, aiming to secure victory in November and chart a new course for the nation.