Democratic governors fall in line behind Harris
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Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a moderated conversation on July 17 in Kalamazoo, Mich. Photo: Chris duMond/Getty Images
Less than 24 hours after President Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 race, the Democratic Party is consolidating around Vice President Kamala Harris to be the party's presidential nominee.
Why it matters: Several Democratic heavy hitters who have been floated as possible presidential candidates themselves have now backed the vice president, quickly building momentum for Harris to lock up the party's nomination before next month's convention.
- Many of the Democratic governors who have backed Harris are also considered frontrunners for her VP nominee pick.
Driving the news: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear — three rising stars within the Democratic Party who had been viewed as possible presidential candidates — all endorsed Harris on Monday.
- "Today, I am fired up to endorse Kamala Harris for President of the United States," Whitmer said in a statement.
- Pritzker said in a statement that he "spent hours [on Sunday] talking to fellow leaders in our Party getting and giving input about the road to victory in November."
- "I am endorsing Kamala Harris for President and will work hard to get her elected because I believe that she is the most qualified and capable person to be President," Pritzker said.
- Beshear earlier on Monday said on MSNBC's Morning Joe that "the Vice President is smart and strong, which will make her a good president, but she's also kind and has empathy, which can make her a great president."
Zoom in: Other top Democrats, including No. 2 Senate Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), also endorsed Harris on Monday.
- Democratic Govs. Wes Moore (Md.), Tim Walz (Minn.) and Tony Evers (Wis.) backed Harris as well.
Between the lines: There are still some notable hold-outs — former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and former President Obama praised Biden's decision to step aside as the party's nominee, but did not endorse Harris, suggesting that there should be competition.
Zoom out: On Sunday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, another lawmaker who has been viewed as a possible presidential contender, endorsed Harris.
- "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," Newsom said.
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) also endorsed Harris on Sunday.
Go deeper: Who could be Kamala Harris' vice presidential pick
