Newsom, Schiff, other California Democrats support Kamala Harris' presidential bid

Kathryn Palmer and Rachel Barber, USA TODAY
·4 min read

California is a veritable Democratic stronghold, and with former California Sen. Kamala Harris poised to take the party's presidential nomination, the state's political star power is front and center.

President Joe Biden posted a letter on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday explaining he was dropping his reelection bid for the White House because he believes it is in the best interest of his party and the country. In a separate social media post, Biden endorsed Harris and said choosing her as his running mate in 2020 was “the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Over the last day, California's most powerful Democratic lawmakers — many of them influential figures in D.C. — have wasted little time in showing where their support lies.

California Senator Laphonza Butler speaks at an event before Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage on June 24, 2024, in Phoenix.
California Senator Laphonza Butler speaks at an event before Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage on June 24, 2024, in Phoenix.

Laphonza Butler and Alex Padilla back Harris

California Sen. Laphonza Butler, the only Black woman serving in the U.S. Senate, applauded Biden’s service and urged support for Harris. Butler was tapped to serve in the seat when Biden picked Harris for his running mate. Butler was appointed to the position after the late-Dianne Feinstein died, but decided not to run to keep the seat in the 2024 election.

“The threat to all that progress remains, and we must now do everything we can to ensure Vice President Harris succeeds,’’ Butler, the first woman of color to head EMILY's List, an organization that supports Democratic, pro-abortion rights women candidates, said in a statement. “There's no one better prepared for this challenge.’’

Harris, the daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father, was the second Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate. Others vying to make similar history praised Harris’ bid for president.

Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., also endorsed her for president Sunday. Padilla replaced Harris in Congress when she was tapped to join Joe Biden on the 2020 Democratic ticket.

“From California to the White House, Vice President Harris has always led with courage and conviction,” Padilla wrote in a post on X, “I’m proud to endorse Kamala Harris to unify our party and defeat Donald Trump.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom, Biden campaign surrogate, praises Harris

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference at Controlled Thermal Resources as lithium extraction takes place behind him in Calipatria, Calif., on Monday, March 20, 2023.
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference at Controlled Thermal Resources as lithium extraction takes place behind him in Calipatria, Calif., on Monday, March 20, 2023.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom threw his support behind Harris Sunday in a statement on the social media platform X.

"Tough. Fearless. Tenacious. With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump's dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President, Kamala Harris," he said.

Nancy Pelosi issues enthusiastic endorsement of Kamala Harris

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) holds up the gavel in the House of Representatives during the opening session of the 116th Congress on Jan. 3.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) holds up the gavel in the House of Representatives during the opening session of the 116th Congress on Jan. 3.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., endorsed Harris for president on Monday as she continues to collect support from Democratic lawmakers.

“Today, it is with immense pride and limitless optimism for our country’s future that I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris,” Pelosi said in a statement the day after Biden dropped out of the race. “My enthusiastic support for Kamala Harris for president is official, personal and political.”

Both hailing from San Francisco, the former speaker acknowledged her personal relationship with Harris and touted the former California senator’s record. In her endorsement, Pelosi emphasized Harris’ advocacy for abortion access, an issue known to mobilize voters.

“Personally, I have known Kamala Harris for decades as rooted in strong values, faith and a commitment to public service,” Pelosi said. “Politically, make no mistake: Kamala Harris as a woman in politics is brilliantly astute – and I have full confidence that she will lead us to victory in November.”

Adam Schiff endorses Kamala Harris after calling for Biden to stand down

Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., participate in House Jan. 6 committee meeting on March 28.
Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., participate in House Jan. 6 committee meeting on March 28.

U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., endorsed Harris for president and said she has his full support Sunday. Schiff is the clear frontrunner in the race to fill the Senate seat Butler will vacate at the end of the year, which she was appointed to late-2023 after Sen. Dianne Feinstein's death. His opponent is Republican and former baseball star Steve Garvey.Schiff was one of several congressional Democrats who called for Joe Biden to end his reelection campaign and said the president “put the country first” by dropping out.“The stakes are high, and we must focus all our energy on electing Kamala Harris and defeating Donald Trump,” Schiff said.

Pete Aguilar, Ted Lieu back Kamala Harris' presidential bid

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) and Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) answer questions during a press conference following their weekly caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on July 9, 2024 in Washington, DC.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) and Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) answer questions during a press conference following their weekly caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on July 9, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Chair Pete Aguilar and Vice Chair Ted Lieu, both California congressmen, said in statements they stand firmly behind Harris' bid for the White House.

"I will do everything I can to elect Kamala Harris the 47th President of the United States, defeat Donald Trump and take back the House from Extreme MAGA Republicans," Aguilar said.

"Four years ago I was the first Member of Congress to endorse Kamala Harris for President," Lieu said on X Sunday. "So honored to endorse Kamala Harris again for President."

Reps. Salud Carbajal and Julia Brownley, Democrats who represent Ventura County in the U.S. House, quickly gave Harris their endorsements Sunday.

"There is no better person to fight for the American people and their interests," Brownley said in a statement.

USA Today's Deborah Barfield Berry and Ken Tran contributed to this report.

Kathryn Palmer is an elections fellow for USA TODAY. Reach her at kapalmer@gannett.com and follow her on X @KathrynPlmr.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Are California Democrats backing Kamala Harris for president?