Democrats on Capitol Hill are following President Joe Biden ’s lead in endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him at the top of the ticket, even as some party leaders remain silent.
Within minutes of Biden’s announcement that he would drop out of the 2024 race , Harris earned the support of key congressional stakeholders that had stuck with the president as he faced a Democratic revolt over his disastrous debate performance.
The leaders of the black and Hispanic caucuses released statements of support, as did the heads of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the center-left New Democrat Coalition.
The senior-most Democratic leaders in Congress have so far not weighed in, merely expressing appreciation to Biden, 81, for stepping aside amid concerns about his mental fitness.
“Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a brief statement. Ex-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) were also silent on the question of who should replace Biden.
But Harris did win the support of Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the president pro tempore of the Senate and third in the line of presidential succession. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC), another Biden ally and former member of leadership, also backed the president's endorsement.
“I echo the good judgment he demonstrated in selecting Vice President Harris to lead this nation alongside him, and I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy to succeed him,” Clyburn said.
The endorsements suggest Democrats could avoid the bitter succession fight that seemed a distinct possibility before Biden’s announcement. But not all Democrats are sold on Harris, who suffers from chronically low approval ratings.
Several Democrats, among them Rep. Lloyd Doggett (R-TX), the first House Democrat to call on Biden to step aside, and Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), the first Senate Democrat to do so, have asked for an open process to consider other possible contenders.
“While, with President Biden’s endorsement, Vice President Harris is clearly the leading candidate, we should be open to all talented individuals who wish to be considered,” Doggett said.
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A similar dynamic could be seen outside of Capitol Hill. The Clintons immediately endorsed Harris even as former President Barack Obama said he would hold off on weighing in "for now."
Jaime Harrison, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee , has promised a “transparent and orderly process” in the coming weeks, while Harris released a statement on Sunday afternoon promising to “earn and win this nomination.”
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