Washington DC

Who will replace Joe Biden as the official presidential nominee of the Democratic Party ahead of the November elections? While some in the party want to see an open process, others believe it's already a foregone conclusion with Vice President Kamala Harris deservingly taking control of the wheel. As soon as Biden announced his withdrawal from the race, Harris was quick to accept the president’s endorsement on Sunday (Jul 21).

Advertisment

"My intention is to earn and win this nomination," she declared.

Harris secures backing from prominent faces

Over the last 24 hours, Harris has secured backing from the party's major donors. Since Biden's endorsement, Americans have given $49.6 million to the Harris campaign.

Advertisment

Watch: US Election: Kamala Harris enters 2024 race, will she become first female US President?

×

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, George and Alex Soros and several Wall Street donors have thrown their weight behind Harris. “Kamala Harris is the right person at the right time,” said Hoffman.

Advertisment

Similarly, Brad Karp, a Wall Street fundraiser, said Harris would become a superb president. “Kamala Harris would be a formidable nominee and make a superb president,” he was quoted as saying by Financial Times.

Key Democratic leaders back Harris

After Biden, key endorsements came from Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton. On Sunday, the governors Gavin Newsom of California, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Roy Cooper of North Carolina also endorsed Harris.

Also read: Kamala Harris` meme coin hits all-time high after Biden drops from White House race

Washington senator Patty Murray said she was behind Harris “100 per cent”. The Virginia senator Mark Warner said Harris “has the experience, energy, and resolve to lead our nation”. The Connecticut senator Chris Murphy said he would be “enthusiastically supporting my friend”.

Concerns remain

But not everyone believes Kamala might be the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump. Reed Hastings, the Netflix co-founder and Democratic mega-donor, said the party needs to pick "a swing-state winner”.

Vinod Khosla, the entrepreneur and investor, said he wanted an open process and not "a coronation.” “The key still is who can best beat Trump above all other priorities,” he added.

Biden donor John Morgan declared that he won't back Harris campaign. “If Trump World could pick anybody to run against, I think they pick her.”

(With inputs from agencies)