President Biden has dropped out, what’s next for VP Harris

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The end of President Biden’s campaign throws this election cycle into a new phase for the Democrats as they try to rally behind a new candidate and potential running mate.

President Biden officially and immediately endorsing his Vice President Kamala Harris was a major move Sunday, signaling the direction he hopes the party goes but that doesn’t lock up the nomination for Harris.

With no presumptive nominee and just under one month to the Democratic National Convention, Harris now has to convince the party she is the winning ticket. To officially secure the nomination, she needs to secure votes from delegates.

Biden had won over 3,800 of the 4,000 that will gather at the DNC starting August 17. All of those have been released and can vote for whoever they choose. To officially lock it up, Harris needs 1,986. The latest tally shows 531 have already endorsed her, already putting her past the 300 required to appear on the convention ballot.

If the Democrats want to challenge Harris’ spot atop the ticket they would have to announce an open convention and invite challengers to face her, starting a battle over those undeclared delegates. For the Harris campaign, the other major remaining challenge is picking her running mate.

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