Kamala Harris has begun work on her fight to replace Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate, securing the endorsement of several senior party figures.
Half an hour after announcing his decision to leave Before the US election, Biden endorsed his vice president and told his party it was time to “come together and beat Trump.”
Several prominent Democrats Ms Harris has since been backed, including by former President Bill Clinton, and the party’s fundraising platform experienced its biggest day of the year, with almost $50m (£38.7m) coming in.
However, Harris was dealt a severe blow when former US President Barack Obama did not support itsaying he supported Democrats to “create a process from which a leading candidate emerges.”
Harris will hope to run unopposed for the presidential nomination, but there is no protocol in the party to choose a new candidate before its convention begins on August 19.
A majority of the party’s roughly 4,000 delegates is needed to win the nomination, and Biden got about 3,900 in the primary.
There are some signs that West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin could register. He left the Democrats to become an independent earlier this year.
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Having already broken the same records for vice president, Harris would be the first Black woman and person of South Asian descent to be president of the United States, if elected.
She will hope to maximize women’s participation in elections, as a leading voice on women’s rights following the repeal of abortion legislation under Roe v Wade.
The 59-year-old already has the backing of a number of key Democrats, Famousand numerous caucuses and political organizations.
Singer Katy Perry posted herself singing her song Woman’s World on Instagram, with the lyrics “It’s a woman’s world and you’re lucky to live in it” in a gesture of support.
John Legend called on his millions of followers to “elect Kamala Harris as our president,” adding, “She’s ready to fight and I’m excited to help her in any way I can.”
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Polls suggest similar popularity to Biden
Although there are few polls to draw on at such an early stage, recent ones show him having similar ratings to Biden.
On July 16, a Reuters-Ipsos poll showed Harris tied with Donald Trump at 44% each.
In her first statement, Harris vowed to “win and win” the nomination, saying: “I am running to be President of the United States. It has been the honor of my life to serve alongside our Commander in Chief, my friend, President Joe Biden , one of the best public servants we will ever meet.
“I am honored to have their support and endorsement and look forward to chronicling what Joe and I have accomplished together.”
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He will make his first public appearance since Biden’s retirement on Monday morning, where he is scheduled to stand in for him at an event at the White House for the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Harris has not yet announced her running mate, but high-profile Democrats rushing to endorse her are among those touted, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Sen. of Arizona, Mark Kelly.
He is believed to have spent Sunday with his family and staff, calling more than 100 officials to gain their support.
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