Tennessee's Democratic delegates vote to endorse VP Kamala Harris for president

Tennessee Democratic National Convention delegates are ready to throw their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris as their new presidential nominee after President Joe Biden announced Sunday he would drop his reelection campaign .

On a Sunday afternoon call, the Tennessee delegates unanimously voted to support Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination, four delegates said, a signal of a fast-moving effort to coalesce behind the vice president in the hours after Biden dropped out.

"Her name is already out there. She's connected with donors and voters in a large way," said Megan Lange, a Tennessee delegate and member of the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee. "She has the stage presence that is needed, and we have 107 days left until Election Day. That is more than enough time for someone who has such a strong platform to simply expand it."

Live updates: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race and endorses Kamala Harris

The DNC, which will be held in Chicago in four weeks, is now shaping up to emerge as one of the most historic political conventions in modern American politics.

Tennessee delegates were previously pledged to nominate Biden, who won Tennessee's spring primary, but Democratic bylaws do not legally require them to stick to that pledge.

With Biden out of the mix and open convention in play, Democrats could see a brokered convention, a rarity in U.S. politics. However, many Tennessee Democrats are already pledging their support to Harris. If a cohesive Harris coalition emerges among delegates, it could stave off a heated, drawn-out convention.

Tennessee's delegation was already scheduled to meet on a 3 p.m. CDT convention logistics calls when Biden's announcement and Harris endorsement dropped in quick succession. Soon, the call turned into endorsement talks, and Tennessee's delegation appeared to be the first delegation to formally endorse Harris on Sunday.

For Kyler Gilkey, a Tennessee delegate from Memphis, it was an easy vote to make, given her vice presidential experience. Though Biden's Sunday announcement threw the U.S. political sphere into disarray, Gilkey praised the president for his decision to step aside during a pivotal presidential election.

"The Democratic Party isn't about one person. It's not about just Joe Biden," Gilkey said. "For him to give up his position as president for another term, it's telling of the idea of the Democratic Party and what we stand for. It was easy for me to put my full support by the vice president. She has been doing this job and understands what it takes. I feel like she will be capable on day one."

Freda Player, a delegate and Metro Nashville school board member, said she "cannot wait" to nominate Harris in Chicago, noting Harris' experience in local, state and federal politics.

“This is the most consequential election of our liftime," Player said, calling Harris the "future" of the Democratic Party. "Democracy is on the line."

Chris Anderson, a Tennessee delegate from Chattanooga, believes Harris will bring her prosecutor skill set to the table to be a sharp match against Trump.

"She has the experience and unmatched ability to prosecute the case against Trump/Vance and their Project 2025," Anderson said.

As the Biden news broke on Sunday, some warned an open nomination could throw the Democrats into total disarray. Lange is confident the party can pivot to a new ticket in time to mount a serious autumn challenge against former President Donald Trump. "People have short memories," Lange said.

"I'm not worried about the timing," Lange said. "I do believe there will be young women and young voters of color who will be more energized by the idea of voting for someone who looks like them and experiences life more like them."

More: As President Joe Biden steps aside, would America be ready for President Kamala Harris?

Are Tennessee delegates not already pledged to Biden?

Yes, but there have long been DNC bylaws in place to allow pledged delegates to change their votes due to extenuating circumstances.

With Biden declining the nomination, pledges can now take advantage of the “good conscience” clause, as it’s known.

Originally adopted in the 1980s, the "good conscience" clause was added so delegates at the DNC can vote for anyone they choose if they, in all good conscience, represent their beliefs even if the person didn't win the primary in their state.

Rule 13(J) reads as follows: "Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them."

The 'right move': Americans react to President Biden's historic decision

Will all of Tennessee's DNC delegates swap to Harris?

Yes, the Tennessee delegates appeared poised to back Harris after Sunday's vote, though they may not be required to.

Anderson, the Chattanooga delegate, said he sees a "ton of support coalescing" around Harris among delegates right now. He himself supports Harris, but has "no problem" with other candidates running and delegates being released to choose who they feel is best.

"The last time Republicans nominated someone besides Trump, it was Mitt Romney 12 years ago," Anderson said. "I'm thrilled at how deep our bench is compared to theirs."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee's Democratic delegates vote to endorse VP Kamala Harris for president