Racing against Trump - Democrats prefer Harris nomination - time is pressing
The US Democrats aim to determine their presidential candidate before the party convention, which is scheduled for mid-August, through a virtual process. The relevant committee of the Democratic Party has approved this procedure. If only one person is running, an electronic vote can start as early as August 1st. If there are multiple candidates, the voting process will begin a few days later.
Potential candidates have until the end of July to file their presidential campaign and secure the support of at least 300 delegates. So far, Vice President Kamala Harris is the only declared candidate.
Is Kamala Harris the only option?
President Joe Biden suggested Harris as a replacement candidate for the November election when he withdrew from the race. According to US media estimates, Harris currently has sufficient delegate support to be nominated as the Democratic Party's candidate, as indicated by public pledges of support. No party challenger has emerged yet.
Initially, the Democrats planned to officially nominate their presidential candidate at a large nomination convention from August 19-22 in Chicago. However, with Biden's withdrawal, the cards are being shuffled again. The party leadership had already advanced plans to select the nominee before the convention. This is related to the deadlines in the states for confirming candidates to appear on the ballot.
Democrats do not want to wait for the convention
The party is particularly concerned about the state of Ohio. The deadline for confirmation in that state was supposed to have passed before the convention in Chicago. However, a law was passed in Ohio that extended the deadline beyond the convention. The Democrats argue that leading Republicans in Ohio could challenge this and that the Democratic candidate or candidate therefore needs to be nominated before the party convention.
The Democratic Party further stated that once a presidential candidate is chosen, they or she can name a vice presidential candidate. Harris has not yet indicated whom she would like to have at her side. Potential vice presidential candidates include governors from various states like Josh Shapiro, Roy Cooper, and Andy Beshear – or Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
- Despite being the only declared candidate so far, Vice President Kamala Harris needs to secure the support of at least 300 delegates to secure the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in the United States of America, as indicated by public pledges.
- Should Kamala Harris secure the nomination, she would have the opportunity to name a vice presidential candidate, with potential options including governors such as Josh Shapiro, Roy Cooper, and Andy Beshear, or Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
- The Democrats are pushing for a quick nomination before the party convention, citing concerns about the state of Ohio, where a law has extended the deadline for confirming candidates beyond the initial scheduled convention date in Chicago.
- Initial plans had the Democrats officially nominating their presidential candidate at a large nomination convention from August 19-22 in Chicago, but with Vice President Joe Biden's withdrawal, the Democrats are now pursuing an expedited nomination process to meet the state deadlines and avoid legal challenges from leading Republicans in Ohio.
