MIAMI.- Following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he would not seek reelection in 2024, Democratic leaders in South Florida moved quickly to voice their support for Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee for president.
U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami Gardens, praised Biden for his accomplishments on infrastructure, student debt relief, climate justice and lowering the cost of insulin, but said “we must now turn our attention to uniting behind Kamala Harris and defeating Donald Trump.”
US Senate candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who is challenging Republican Senator Rick Scott, called on Democrats to “stay united behind Vice President Kamala Harris and continue to fight for freedom, democracy and opportunity.”
State Senator Shevrin Jones, chairwoman of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, said, “It’s time for Democrats to unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris. She is the leader we need to meet this moment and defeat Donald Trump.”
Likewise, U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-West Palm Beach, stressed the importance of “protecting reproductive freedom” and “defeating Donald Trump’s extreme Project 2025 agenda.”
Similarly, state Sen. Lauren Book, the Democratic leader in the Florida Senate, emphasized Harris’ “fight for women’s reproductive freedom,” noting that Harris “has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to justice, equality and progress.”
Continuing a legacy
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried praised Biden’s leadership as president but has not yet formally endorsed Harris. “Now is the time for Democrats to step up and secure the future of that legacy,” Fried said.
“As a leader, he has transformed our economy, guided us out of the COVID-19 pandemic, rebuilt our crumbling infrastructure, and restored America’s place on the world stage,” he said in a press release.
Following Biden’s announcement, Harris confirmed her intention to run for the Democratic presidential nomination. “I am honored to have the president’s endorsement and I intend to win this nomination,” Harris said.
Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue reported that small-dollar donors had contributed nearly $47 million since Harris announced her candidacy. “Grassroots supporters are excited and motivated to support her as the Democratic nominee,” the group said.