Democratic delegates now focusing on Kamala Harris after Biden drops out of 2024 race.

President Biden sent shockwaves through the American political system on Sunday when he announced his withdrawal from the 2024 race for the White House, leaving delegates he earned during the primary election scrambling to find an alternative candidate.

Biden, who faced mounting pressure to step aside and “pass the torch” to another candidate, made the announcement in a post and shortly after, he offered his “full support and endorsement” for Vice President Kamala Harris to serve as the party’s presidential nominee.

It remains unclear at this point whether delegates will unite in support of Harris to lead the ticket at the upcoming Democratic National Convention.

At the convention, a candidate must secure the majority support of the party’s nearly 4,000 delegates, who are the officials responsible for formally selecting the nominee. These delegates are distributed to candidates based on the results of primary elections in each state.

There are two types of delegates for the Democratic Party: “pledged” and “unpledged.” Pledged delegates are required to vote for the candidate who wins the primary or caucus in their respective state, while unpledged delegates, also known as “superdelegates,” have the freedom to support any candidate. Currently elected officials and party leaders make up the unpledged delegates in the Democratic Party.

A total of 1,976 delegates are needed to secure the Democratic nomination for president. Prior to his decision to withdraw, Biden had won approximately 3,900 delegates in primary elections across the U.S. over the past few months. These delegates had previously pledged their support to Biden’s candidacy, as per DNC rules.

“We have been unwavering in our support for President Biden since the start of these rumors. We were with President Biden until he gave us guidance in another direction, and this morning, he provided that guidance,” said Samantha Hope Herring, a Democratic delegate and elected DNC member from Florida.

“Trusting his judgment and recognizing the importance of continuing the exceptional work under the most qualified individual currently available, we are fully endorsing Kamala Harris,” Herring emphasized. She indicated that the Florida delegation is fully onboard with supporting Harris post-Biden’s endorsement.

Delegate Karl Gentles from Arizona expressed his support for Harris, emphasizing a focus on putting the country first above all else, following Biden’s decision not to seek re-election. He highlighted the importance of ensuring the future of the country and the necessity of winning the upcoming election. Gentles affirmed his backing for VP Harris and pledged to cast his vote for her at the DNC convention.

“The Democratic Party now has an opportunity to engage the youth vote and undecided independents. Vice President Harris can attract support as a vibrant, experienced leader with an impressive background as a California Attorney General, U.S. Senator, and Vice President,” Gentles added.

Meanwhile, Irene Bonham, a Democratic delegate from Colorado, conveyed gratitude to President Biden for his years of dedicated service to the nation. As a pledged delegate, she respected his decision not to seek re-election and believed it demonstrated his commitment to putting the country and democracy above personal ambitions. Bonham expressed eagerness to learn more about Vice President Harris’ plans, emphasizing her admiration for Harris’ intelligence and integrity.

Maribel Balbin, a Democratic delegate from Miami, Florida, acknowledged Biden’s endorsement of Harris, recognizing the challenging decision he faced. Balbin expressed trust in the president’s consideration of data, polls, and leadership messages, indicating her respect for his decision and willingness to consider his endorsement. She looked forward to the evolving process of decision-making within the party.

It was reported that Democrats had originally planned to nominate Biden and Harris ahead of the convention, but following Biden’s announcement, the official nominee for the party will be decided at the convention.

The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place in Chicago from August 19 to 22, where the nominee for the presidency will be formally chosen. Amidst the unexpected turn of events, the Democratic Party and its delegates are gearing up for a pivotal moment in shaping the future of the party and the nation.