President Joe Biden on Sunday endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as presidential nominee, making the 59-year-old the most overwhelming favorite for the Democratic nomination and likely avoiding an open Democratic National Convention that would have allowed any number of potential candidates to come forward.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event on July 13, 2024 in Philadelphia, ... [+]
Biden on Sunday said he would “stand down” from the election in order to “focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Shortly after, he called choosing Harris to be his vice president in 2020 the "best decision I’ve made" and said he offers his "full support" to her as the Democratic candidate for president.
Harris had not made an announcement or launched a campaign website as of 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday.
By endorsing Harris, Biden has given her a substantial leg up in what could have been an otherwise wide-open nomination process that would allow delegates for Biden to vote for whoever they please at next month's Democratic National Convention.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here: joinsubtext.com/forbes.
"Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump," Biden said. "Let’s do this."
Some Democrats have said they'd prefer an open convention, but other ideas that have been floated include a mini-primary process of debates, public appearances and town halls before the convention to introduce potential candidates to delegates (an option that became less likely when Biden endorsed a successor) or a brokered convention, in which delegates would choose a nominee based on back-room deals “brokered” by local and state party bosses along with elected officials.
Calls for Biden to drop out of the presidential race have intensified for weeks following a presidential debate in which he appeared confused and unable to keep up with his opponent, former President Donald Trump. Many high-profile Democrats were open about their concerns he wouldn’t be able to win in November, and told him it was time to “pass the torch” to someone more capable. Harris was seen as the likely replacement for Biden if he did drop out, and she has performed about the same as Biden in head-to-head polls with Trump. Harris has also polled better than other Democrats commonly floated as replacement candidates to Biden.