Cleaver doesn’t endorse Harris, says ‘I respect’ Biden decision to drop out of race
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Missouri Democrat, didn’t endorse Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday after President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race and threw his support behind his former running mate.
Cleaver, who represents Kansas City and had supported Biden after his disastrous late June debate performance, released a short statement after Biden’s announcement.
“President Biden has given his life to public service,” Cleaver said. “His accomplishments and policies have helped millions and millions of Americans. I respect his decision and know that Democrats will pull together and be united for the November election.”
No other candidate beside Harris emerged in the first hours after Biden’s announcement and leading party figures and groups began to coalesce around her candidacy, including the Congressional Black Caucus. Still, the Democratic National Convention remains weeks away.
As a Democratic member of Congress, Cleaver is an automatic delegate to the convention in Chicago in mid-August. That means he likely doesn’t get to vote on the first round of balloting but could vote on a nominee if multiple ballots are required.
Cleaver’s Republican opponent, Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith, wrote on social media that “I truly do feel for Pres. Biden.”
“I believe he has held on too long and it’s time to move forward,” Smith said. “Not sure what that will look like for the Democratic Party and more importantly the nation.”
