Hear moment from Harris' speech that left the crowd cheering
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What we covered here
Harris clinches enough delegates: Vice President Kamala Harris has the support of enough Democratic delegates to win the party’s nomination for president, according to CNN’s delegate estimate. The vice president is marching to the Democratic nomination as broad swaths of the party lined up behind her bid to take on Donald Trump.
Previewing her arguments: In what could be a preview of her campaign argument against Trump, Harris detailed her experience as an attorney general in California and as a prosecutor when addressing campaign staff on Monday. “I know Donald Trump’s type,” she said.
Gaining support: No serious challenger has emerged yet after President Joe Biden announced his exit from the race. The Harris campaign also said it raised $81 million in the first 24 hours, calling it a “historic outpouring of support.”
What happens next: Biden has said he will finish his term, and will address the nation this week. If selected as the Democratic candidate, Harris would be the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead the ticket of a major political party.
Updates
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Our live coverage of the 2024 presidential race has ended for the day. Follow the latest updates or scroll through the posts below.
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Harris celebrates securing support needed to become Democratic nominee
Harris pledged to bring the fight to Donald Trump.
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How the House GOP campaign arm is pivoting to target Harris: Border, fracking and protests
From CNN's Annie Grayer
The House Republican campaign arm is developing a targeted plan of attack to pin specific pieces of Vice President Kamala Harris’ record against Democrats running in competitive House races as Harris marches toward the Democratic nomination.
The framing of GOP attacks on down-ballot Democrats are starting to take shape even though Harris is still not officially the Democratic presidential nominee, as the GOP campaign arm looks to quickly adjust their message and maintain their goal of keeping control of the House. The plan, which is still evolving, is to continue to tie Harris to what they see as failed policies of the Biden administration while also resurfacing some of her positions from her 2019 presidential run.
In key swing districts in Arizona and New Mexico, the GOP campaign arm plans to hammer home Harris’ efforts to tackle root causes of migration from Central America as Republicans look to make border crossings and mass migrations a top campaign issue. Republicans have long dubbed Harris the “border czar,” and one GOP strategist said to expect Republicans to tie down-ballot Democrats to that title even more.
The White House has rejected the “border czar” title, arguing that her focus was on long-term fixes. In a key vote in February, Senate Republicans blocked a major bipartisan border deal and foreign aid package with assistance for Ukraine and Israel amid a torrent of attacks on the bill by former President Donald Trump and top House Republicans.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who is among those viewed as a potential Democratic vice-presidential candidate, has again slammed Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance over past comments deriding Donald Trump, and for claiming ties to Beshear’s home state.
In an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Beshear responded to Vance’s accusation that Vice President Kamala Harris “lied about” Joe Biden’s fitness for office before he dropped out of the presidential race.
Beshear called Vance a “phony” and pointed to a private comment he made in 2016 wondering if Trump is ”America’s Hitler.”
Beshear also pushed back at Vance’s defense of his origin story and roots in eastern Kentucky, which he documented in his best-selling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy.”
Beshear’s attacks come as Democratic party leaders coalesce around Harris to replace Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket. Beshear endorsed Harris’ candidacy earlier Monday.
Beshear, a potential running mate, said he would consider leaving his role if “I could help my people in Kentucky more in a different role” or if “there was a chance to move past the partisanship.”
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Here are the state delegations that have endorsed Harris
From CNN's Ethan Cohen, Matt Holt, Molly English, Aaron Pellish and Gloria Pazmino
State delegations have started to endorse Kamala Harris as the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate.
The Democratic National Convention will take place from August 19 to August 22 in Chicago, Illinois.
Here are some of the delegations that have publicly endorsed Harris:
California’s Democratic delegation voted unanimously to endorse Harris on Monday, according to two delegates who attended the meeting. The vote gives Harris, a California native, the full support of the largest state delegation ahead of the convention next month.
New York’s delegates unanimously endorsed Harris, the state Democratic Party said Monday. “The Vice President is a true leader, a partner to one of our most successful Presidents, and someone who represents the ideals and values of the Democratic Party – I’m thrilled New York has her back,” Chairman Jay Jacobs said.
In Louisiana, Harris was endorsed with “an overwhelming majority.” Party Chair Randal Gaines said that “by throwing our full support behind her, we can beat Donald Trump again and continue Joe Biden’s legacy of accomplishments and progress for our country.”
Maryland’s delegation voted unanimously to endorse Harris on Monday morning, with Maryland Democratic Party Chairman Ken Ulman saying that she “possesses experience that uniquely qualifies her to serve as President of the United States.”
The Kentucky delegation “overwhelmingly voted” to endorse Harris, with KDP Chair Colmon Elridge saying she was “ready to serve as president on Day 1 and finish the job that Joe Biden started.”
Tennessee’sdelegation also announced that it had voted unanimously to endorse Harris.
The North Carolina delegation likewise unanimously voted to support Harris, the state party told CNN.
The South Carolina delegation announced that it had also endorsed Harris.
Wisconsin’sdelegation also endorsed Harris, party chairman Ben Wikler said. The majority of delegates in the state, 89 out of 95 delegates have pledged their support to Harris, including every Democratic member of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation and Democratic statewide elected officials.
In Maine,delegates “voted unanimously to pledge their support” to Harris, their statement said.
In Massachusetts,the delegation met virtually Monday and “voted to overwhelmingly endorse” Harris to be the nominee, according to the state Democratic Party.
The Utah delegation said Monday it was endorsing Harris, according to the state Democratic Party.
Iowa’s delegates voted unanimously to support Harris, the state Democratic Party announced.
The South Dakota delegates also endorsed Harris, saying she “has proven that she is more than equipped to take on the Presidency,” the state Democratic Party said.
All 49 of Nevada’s Democratic delegates endorsed Harris, the state party said.
The Texas Democratic delegation said it had endorsed Harris. All but six of the state’s delegates voted for Harris, and those six objected more to the party’s process than to Harris herself, according to a source familiar with the process. Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who has yet to formally back Harris, voted to endorse her, the source said.
The post has been updated with the latest developments.
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Harris for President error page channels coconut meme
From CNN's Sam Fossum
The Harris for President error page references an internet meme that has become a popular way to show support for her campaign.
From Harris for President
The Harris for President error page is the latest example of how her campaign is channeling various memes that feature the vice president.
Similar to how President Joe Biden’s campaign once played on the “Dark Brandon” meme, the Harris for President’s error page reads:
The phrase refers to the coconut meme and emojis that regained traction on Sunday as a way to show support for Harris after Biden dropped out of the race.
The meme was sparked by comments Harris made in May 2023. She spoke about the differences between equality and equity and used a personal family story to make her point.
“None of us just live in a silo. Everything is in context,” she said.
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More than 300 former Harris staffers endorse her for president
From CNN's Betsy Klein
More than 300 former staffers of Kamala Harris from throughout her career have endorsed her for president in a letter.
Rachel Palermo, who served as associate counsel and deputy communications director to the vice president, began organizing former Harris staffers to show their support in an endorsement letter late Sunday night after President Joe Biden endorsed his running mate.
As of Monday evening, more than 300 former Harris staffers from the White House, her campaign, as California attorney general, and as San Francisco district attorney, had signed on, according to Palermo.
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Harris secures enough delegate endorsements to win the Democratic presidential nomination
From CNN's Ethan Cohen, Molly English, Matt Holt and Sydney Topf
Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at her campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday, July 22.
Erin Schaff/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Kamala Harris has the support of enough Democratic delegates to win the party’s nomination for president, according to CNN’s delegate estimate.
While endorsements from delegates continue to come in, Harris has now been backed by well more than the 1,976 pledged delegates she’ll need to win the nomination on the first ballot.
Harris crossed the threshold amid a wave of endorsements from state delegations Monday evening.
These endorsements are not binding and with President Joe Biden out of the race, delegates are free to vote for the candidate of their choice.
Vetting process deepens even as Harris works to secure delegates in "coordinated drumbeat"
From CNN's Jeff Zeleny
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a meeting at the White House in July 2023.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters/FILE
One day ago, Kamala Harris was Joe Biden’s running mate. Today, she’s well on her way to finding her own.
Democratic lawyers are beginning their work of conducting a deep, yet truncated, vetting process for potential vice presidential hopefuls, two people familiar with the matter tell CNN, with siloed teams being established for the leading prospective candidates.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly are among the Democrats who have been asked to submit information about their finances, family histories and other personal details, two people familiar with the process say. They are part of a group that includes about 10 names, nearly all of whom are elected officials.
A handful of Democratic lawyers, including those who have worked on vice presidential vetting processes in the past, are involved in this effort. Former Attorney General Eric Holder and his law firm Covington & Burling will handle vetting for Harris’ running mate, according to a source familiar with the plans.
The audition process is also playing out in public, with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Cooper appearing for interviews today on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” with the intent that Harris was watching. An aide said she caught at least part of the conversations.
The search for a running mate is unfolding alongside work to seize the nomination.
The hour-by-hour endorsements of Harris from Democratic governors, senators, Cabinet officials and state delegations is unfolding by design, with the hope of reaching a majority of delegates by Wednesday, two people familiar with the process tell CNN.
“It’s a coordinated drumbeat,” a senior Democratic aide working on the effort said. “That sound Democrats hear is the party uniting around the vice president.”
CNN’s Arlette Saenz contributed to this report.
The post was updated with information about the role of former Attorney General Eric Holder.
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Trump says he chose Vance because they have "automatic chemistry"
From CNN's Kate Sullivan
Former President Donald Trump said in an interview aired Monday he chose JD Vance to be his running mate in part because they have “an automatic chemistry” and because Vance would “stick up for me.”
“We’ve always had a good chemistry. And originally, JD was probably not for me, but he didn’t know me and then when we got to know each other he liked me maybe more than anybody liked me. And he would stick up for me, and he would fight for the worker as much as I would fight for the worker. We had an automatic chemistry,” Trump told Fox News in his and Vance’s first joint interview.
Trump suggested his endorsement of Vance in his Ohio Senate race helped Vance win against a “very tough field.”
He also pointed to Vance’s memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” and said, “He wrote a book, which was a classic, as you know, and it was all about the working men and women and how they aren’t being treated fairly and he was right about that. And I understood that maybe better than anyone else.”
Trump says his ear is getting better and he’s “down to the small bandages”
From CNN's Kate Sullivan
Former President Donald Trump participates in aninterview on Fox News that was taped Saturday, July 20, but aired Monday, July 22, on Fox News.
From Fox News
Former President Donald Trump said in a new interview with Fox News that the wound on his ear from the Pennsylvania assassination attempt was “getting much better” and that he was now “down to the small bandages.”
During the interview, Trump wore a beige bandage that was significantly smaller than the white one he wore all week at the GOP convention. The interview was taped Saturday in Grand Rapids around his rally there and aired Monday night.
Trump said Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson was the one who gave him a chart about illegal immigration that he put up on the screen and turned to look at when the assassination attempt happened.
“He actually gave me the chart. If I didn’t have that chart, I wouldn’t have looked to the right. If I didn’t look to the right, a very bad thing would have happened,” he said. I wouldn’t have been at the convention, I can just about guarantee it,” Trump said.
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Vance recounts when Trump called him to ask to be his running mate
From CNN's Kate Sullivan
Republican vice presidential nominee, Sen. JD Vance speaks during a campaign rally at Radford University on Monday, July 22, in Radford, Virginia.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance recounted getting the phone call from Donald Trump asking him to be his running mate in his first joint interview with the former president.
Vance was asked what his wife Usha’s reaction was when Trump called.
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Biden will return to the White House on Tuesday after self-isolating in Delaware
From CNN's Sam Fossum
President Joe Biden on Tuesday will leave Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, ending his self-isolation since testing positive for Covid-19 last week, according to the White House.
The president will return to the White House at 2:30 p.m. ET.
He has no other public events on his schedule.
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Harris to hold campaign event in Milwaukee on Tuesday
From CNN's Sam Fossum
Vice President Kamala Harris will hold a campaign event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, according to a campaign advisory.
She will deliver remarks at 2:05 p.m. ET, according to guidance from her office.
The post was updated with the time of Harris’ scheduled address.
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Bernie Sanders tells CNN he's sure he will endorse Harris
From CNN's Jack Forrest
Sen. Bernie Sanders appears on CNN on Monday, July 22.
CNN
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said he has spoken with Vice President Kamala Harris since President Joe Biden stepped out of the race and endorsed her, and said he’s sure he’ll endorse Harris.
Sanders said he has talked to Harris since Biden announced he would not seek reelection, but “those conversations are private.”
He also told CNN’s Anderson Cooper Monday that “it’s going to be a brutal campaign,” in response to GOP Rep. Tim Burchett describing Harris as a “DEI hire,” a comment characterized as racist and offensive by Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steve Horsford.
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DNC moves forward with process to determine its presidential nominee by August 7, officials say
From CNN's MJ Lee, Ethan Cohen and Sam Fossum
The Democratic National Committee is moving forward with a process that will determine the party’s presidential nominee by August 7, party officials said Monday night, in the aftermath of President Joe Biden’s stunning Sunday exit from the race — and endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris — that has roiled the campaign.
Jaime Harrison, DNC chairman, also pledged to the party being “committed to an open and fair nominating process” that “reflects the dedication to democracy our party stands for.”
Candidates will need to declare their interest in becoming the Democratic Party’s nominee for president by filing a formal declaration of candidacy, meet party and legal qualifications to be president along with gathering at least 300 delegate signatures, with no more than 50 from a single state, according to DNC officials and a document obtained by CNN.
The window of time for candidates to declare their interest will be short, one DNC official said, and would end by this week.
Under the proposal, the DNC will share a candidate directory with delegates, which will include names and contact information for candidates to allow delegates to opt into information from campaigns.
However, while the DNC intends to have a Democratic nominee chosen by August 7, exactly when virtual voting would begin has yet to be determined and would depend on factors like how many candidates are ultimately able to obtain support from the necessary 300 delegates.
A date for the start of the virtual voting process has not yet been set but it could be as early as August 1.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who is chair of the DNC Rules Committee, told CNN’s Erin Burnett on “OutFront” that the idea boils down to: “Anybody’s welcome to come in.”
“It is an open process; anyone is welcome,” Walz said. “The delegates who were selected will cast their vote as they see fit, and we will come out with a nominee in time” to get on the ballot in all 50 states, said the governor, who has endorsed Harris.
In order to win the nomination, a candidate will need the support of a majority of pledged delegates to the convention – 1,976 out of 3,949 pledged delegates, party officials said.
The convention rules committee will vote Wednesday on the proposed rules, a Democratic official said.
CNN’s Jack Forrest contributed to this report.
The post was updated with comments by Gov. Tim Walz.
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Michigan's Gov. Whitmer says she's "really excited about this new chapter" after Biden exits race
From CNN's Ali Main
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at an event in Chelsea, Michigan promoting her new book "True Gretch," on Monday, July 22.
Serendipity Books
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday night she was “really excited” for the next chapter of the Democratic presidential campaign, after President Joe Biden exited the race on Sunday, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to be the nominee.
Whitmer, who served as a campaign co-chair for Biden and now for Harris, said it had been a “tough few weeks” following Biden’s shaky performance in the first presidential debate, but the campaign had been prepared to “continue to make sure that we got him in the strongest position to win.”
“Obviously, there was a lot of pressure,” she said, pointing to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, noting the recent weeks have been “really, really heavy.”
Whitmer said she had thought Biden might consider not running for reelection, but that she and other campaign co-chairs had gotten no notice ahead of his ultimate announcement. She said she found out from a staff member as she arrived at a “Grilling with Gretchen” event in Trenton, Michigan and was “very surprised” to hear the news.
She said she respects both Biden and Harris and is “really excited about this new chapter,” though she added, “it’s balanced with a little bit of, you know, remorse that the President felt like he needed to do it.”
“I think it was the right decision. I support him, and I support the vice president now, and I’m excited,” she continued.
Whitmer, along with Democratic governors of other Midwestern states essential to an electoral college victory, backed Harris as the party’s nominee on Monday morning. While she’s been rumored as a potential VP option, she told a local reporter that she’s not leaving Michigan, insisting “I’m not going anywhere.”
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Vance calls Biden "one of worst presidents" but warns Harris is a "million times worse"
From CNN's Kit Maher
Sen. JD Vance, Republican vice presidential nominee, addresses a crowd of supporters during a campaign event inside the Dedmon Center at Radford University in Radford, Virginia, on Monday, July 22.
Logan Cyrus/AFP/Getty Images
Sen. JD Vance, vice presidential nominee, came out swinging at his second rally of the day, sharpening his criticisms of the new potential Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris, and calling President Joe Biden “a quitter” after he decided to exit the presidential race.
Vance urged voters not to give Harris a shot at the White House as Democrats continue to rally around her candidacy.
“We got to kick Kamala Harris out of the Oval Office. Don’t give her a chance. Don’t give her a chance to run away from the Biden record. The Biden record is the Kamala Harris record,” Vance said.
Vance characterized Harris as “even more extreme than Biden” and claimed that Harris voted to eliminate the filibuster, “wants to ban fracking” and “totally decriminalize illegal immigration.”
He especially focused on her handling of the US-Mexico border. Biden deputized Harris in 2021 to look at the root causes if migration in Central American countries, including lack of economic opportunities and drug violence.
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Ocasio-Cortez says she's encouraged by growing support for Harris, but warns of misogyny and racism
From CNN's Morgan Rimmer
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks to the media on Monday, July 22.
CNN
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who very publicly supported President Joe Biden staying in the presidential race, would not say if she was disappointed in his decision to exit.
Asked if Biden was treated unfairly by some Democrats, Ocasio-Cortez replied: “I think that at the end of the day, what is most important is that we’re at where we are at today. And I think that, once again, I think that Vice President Harris is a very strong leader and we’re ready to win this election.”
Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged that she had been concerned about whether Harris could unify the Democratic party but said she was “encouraged” by the “strong outpouring” of support for Harris since her announcement.
Ocasio-Cortez also said Democrats have to be prepared for racist and misogynistic attacks against Harris if she becomes the first woman of color to lead a major party ticket.
Remember: Earlier today, GOP Rep. Tim Burchett described Harris as a “DEI hire,” a comment characterized as racist and offensive by Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steve Horsford.
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These Democratic voters are relieved and energized by Harris. But there are doubters too
From CNN's John King
Vice President Kamala Harris smiles as she speaks at her Presidential Campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday, July 22
Erin Schaff/PoolReuters
Live to 94 years old like Pat Levin, and you think maybe you have seen it all. Well, think again.
“We’ve been thrown into an emotional tailspin,” is how Levin described President Joe Biden’s abrupt departure from the 2024 campaign this weekend and his quick endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. “What next? An enormous feeling of relief along with an enormous feeling of anxiety.”
Oh, plus this: “Yes, I support Harris.”
“I’ve always said it needs to be Vice President Harris,” said Angela Lang, a community organizer in Milwaukee’s Black neighborhoods. “She’s the first Black woman VP and I think it would be seen as a sign of disrespect to have someone seemingly jump ahead of her.”
Michigan auto worker Tonya Rincon described herself as “kind of stunned” by Biden’s decision but said Democrats have no time to waste.
“Vice President Harris is the obvious choice,” Rincon said. “She’s experienced. Qualified. An extremely strong candidate and we need to get behind her immediately.”
There was overwhelming support for the California Democrat, but not unanimity. On the plus side for Harris: Democratic voters think she can rebuild lagging Biden support in the Black community and among younger voters, and they see her as a more vibrant and aggressive campaigner on abortion rights and other issues viewed as critical motivators for Democratic voters. But the doubts some voters raised about Harris underscore the challenges ahead, assuming she emerges as the Democratic nominee. They range from concerns the process will become too messy to worries that she is not the strongest candidate to contest critical battleground states.
