Harris closes in on nomination with delegates secured, to campaign in Wisconsin

Vice-President Kamala Harris is set to campaign in the critical battleground state of Wisconsin on Tuesday after securing enough Democratic delegates to endorse her, paving the way for her nomination.

Following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from his re-election campaign, Harris has emerged as the party’s presumed nominee. The campaign announced that Harris won the pledged support of a majority of the party’s delegates, surpassing the required number to secure the nomination.

This achievement comes less than 36 hours after Biden endorsed Harris. The upcoming trip to Wisconsin serves as an opportunity for Harris to reset the Democrats’ campaign and highlight her ability to defeat Republican rival Donald Trump. Wisconsin, along with Michigan and Pennsylvania, is considered a must-win state for any candidate. Harris will deliver remarks at a political event in Milwaukee, where she plans to draw on her experience as a former California prosecutor to attack Trump’s character.

In addition to securing delegates, Harris has been successful in fundraising, raising $81 million since Biden stepped aside. This substantial amount nearly matches the funds that the Biden campaign had in the bank at the end of June.

Harris’ campaign has gained support from various Hollywood donors, including rapper Cardi B and Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis. While Trump and his allies have attempted to link Harris to Biden’s unpopular policies, her ability to turn around slumping poll numbers in key states remains uncertain. Nevertheless, leading Democrats in Wisconsin believe that Harris can energize voters who were previously unenthused about the Biden-Trump contest.

Additionally, Harris’ historic election as the first Black American and first South Asian American vice president is expected to help attract crucial Black voters.

With Biden no longer in the running, speculation has risen regarding who might join Harris as her vice presidential candidate. Several names, including Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, have been mentioned in internal policy discussions.