Virginia Democratic delegates overwhelmingly back Kamala Harris for presidential nomination

“Donald Trump is yesterday’s news. Kamala Harris is today’s and tomorrow’s news. And we’re going to do all we can to make sure she succeeds.” Virginia’s Democratic delegation just fell out of a coconut tree. Last night, the Virginia delegation to the Democratic National Convention overwhelmingly voted to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the…

Michael O'Connor

July 23, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at her campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Del., Monday, July 22, 2024. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

“Donald Trump is yesterday’s news. Kamala Harris is today’s and tomorrow’s news. And we’re going to do all we can to make sure she succeeds.”

Virginia’s Democratic delegation just fell out of a coconut tree.

Last night, the Virginia delegation to the Democratic National Convention overwhelmingly voted to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination for president, capping off a flurry of support in the state for her candidacy.

“Our delegation knows that Vice President Harris is the right choice and leader not only to unify our party, but our country,” said Susan Swecker, the chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Virginia in a statement. “The Virginia Democratic Delegation is thrilled to cast our votes for her historic nomination and support an incredible former senator and prosecutor in defeating convict Donald Trump this November.”

The endorsement comes just days after President Joe Biden’s historic decision not to seek a second term and endorse Vice President Harris. Democrats will finalize their nomination for president at their national convention in Chicago Aug. 19 to Aug. 22.

Delegates at the convention will cast their ballots for the nominee, which will likely be Harris given the momentum gathering around her campaign. Well over half of the delegates for the convention have already come out in support of Harris

“A contentious debate within the party would have created further division for Democrats, which would have further undermined the chances of whoever ended up the nominee,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “The prompt action by so many delegates demonstrated that Democratic officials recognize they need to be unified as soon as possible to prepare for the election ahead.”

Virginia’s 119 delegates include political heavyweights like US Sen. Tim Kaine and former governor Terry McAuliffe, along with rank-and-file Democrats active in the party.

“Kamala Harris is going to excite young Virginians because of her strong record of standing up for reproductive freedom, making college more affordable, and tackling climate change,” Kaine said in a statement to Dogwood.

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