Kamala Harris Secures Backing as Biden Steps Aside

Kamala Harris swiftly moved to secure Democratic delegates for her presidential campaign after President Joe Biden stepped aside due to concerns about his ability to defeat Donald Trump. Harris received quick endorsements from key Democratic figures and organizations, positioning herself as the leading candidate.

Vice President Kamala Harris moved swiftly to lock up Democratic delegates behind her campaign for the White House after President Joe Biden stepped aside amid concerns from within their own party that he would be unable to defeat Donald Trump.

Biden's exit Sunday, prompted by Democratic worries over his fitness for office, was a seismic shift to the presidential contest that upended both parties' carefully honed plans for the race.

Aiming to put weeks of intraparty drama over Biden's candidacy behind them, prominent Democratic elected officials, party leaders and political organizations quickly lined up behind Harris in the hours after Biden announced he was dropping his reelection campaign. Biden's departure frees up his delegates to vote for whomever they choose. Harris, whom Biden backed after ending his candidacy, is thus far the only declared candidate and was working to quickly secure endorsements from a majority of delegates.

(With inputs from agencies.)