Democratic leaders move towards endorsing Kamala Harris

Dave Goldiner, Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News
Updated ·2 min read

Democratic heavyweights moved towards backing Kamala Harris Monday as she rapidly consolidated support for her newly minted presidential campaign.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries heaped praise on Harris and suggested it was only a matter of time before he formally endorses her to be the Democratic standard bearer to take on former President Trump.

“Vice President Kamala Harris has excited the community, she’s excited the House Democratic caucus and she’s exciting the country,” Jeffries told reporters. “Donald Trump and the extreme MAGA Republicans are having a meltdown right now.”

The Brooklyn Democrat said he needed to meet with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Harris to finalize a political path forward.

“Harris is off to a great start with her promise to pursue the presidential nomination in a manner consistent with a grassroots and transparent process,” Schumer and Jeffries said in a joint statement late Monday. “We look forward to meeting in person with Vice President Harris shortly as we collectively work to unify the Democratic Party and the country.”

The two congressional leaders had initially praised President Biden Sunday for dropping out of the race but held off on joining Biden in endorsing Harris right away.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi struck a similar tone as Jeffries and Schumer on Sunday, but moved to endorse Harris Monday.

“I have full confidence that she will lead us to victory in November,” Pelosi tweeted.

Former President Barack Obama has so far stuck with his original statement from Sunday that did not mention a potential endorsement of Harris.

Mayor Adams threw his weight behind Harris’ presidential bid Monday after declining to immediately offer his support Sunday.

“I’m looking forward to moving toward the convention and seeing [Vice president Kamala Harris] becoming the nominee,” Adams said on MSNBC. “I think that she’s the voice that the party needs right now.”

The mayor said Democrats have been “hemorrhaging” Black and Hispanic voters and Harris could bring them back into the fold.

Dozens of lawmakers quickly moved to endorse Harris Sunday within hours of Biden’s announcement that he was dropping out of the race and endorsing her to replace him on the ticket.

A handful of lawmakers and Democratic candidates from battleground swing districts stayed quiet about Harris, possibly keeping their political powder dry in case she does not quickly wrap up the nomination.