No contested convention – Harris shored up support early and took control of millions in campaign funds.
Lerer et al. 7-21 [Lisa Lerer, Shane Goldmacher, Katie Glueck, and Reid J. Epstein, National Political Correspondents and reporters for the New York Times. “Kamala Harris Rapidly Picks Up Democratic Support as 2024 Race Is Reborn,” Jul 21, 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/21/us/politics/harris-democrats-campaign-nominee-biden.html]
Powerful leaders of the Democratic establishment quickly embraced Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday after President Biden’s shocking exit from the race, hoping that a seamless succession could end a month of damaging chaos and transform a contest widely believed to be tipping toward Republicans.
By Sunday evening, Ms. Harris appeared to have a glide path to the nomination: No other top Democrats announced plans to challenge her, though some stopped short of an endorsement, including the party’s top congressional leaders and former President Barack Obama.
With breathtaking speed, she took control of Mr. Biden’s enormous political operation and contacted Democratic leaders in Congress and state houses to ask for their support. The Biden campaign formally renamed itself “Harris for President,” giving her immediate access to an account that had $96 million in cash at the end of June. On an internal call, the Biden campaign’s leaders told staff members that they would now work for Ms. Harris.