LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas delegation to the Democratic National Convention unanimously voted to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the new party candidate after President Joe Biden announced he was dropping out of the race.
Biden endorsed Harris shortly after announcing he was abandoning his campaign. However, this doesn't formally make Harris the party's nominee.
Since Biden's decision, several Democratic lawmakers, governors, delegations, and more have shown support for Harris as the next candidate.
On July 22, the Democratic Party of Arkansas met virtually to "discuss the consensus" of who they plan to nominate at the Democratic National Convention in August.
"No one is better prepared than Vice President Harris to prosecute the case against Donald Trump and articulate how Democrats are working for a better Arkansas," Democratic Party of Arkansas Delegation Chair Grant Tennille said. "At this critical time in our nation’s history, the vice president is prepared, poised, and right out of the gate demonstrating how strong she will be as our nominee."
In order to officially appoint Harris, the Democratic Party plans to push forward with a virtual roll call to expedite Harris's appointment before the DNC next month. The convention rules committee will meet Wednesday to approve how the virtual roll call will work.
"This whole process has gotten a lot more exciting, and our jobs have gotten a lot more important," said Evelyn Rios Stafford, an Arkansas delegate and Justice of the Peace for Washington County.
Rios Stafford said she's received several comments from people supporting Harris and believes Biden's decision to step down invigorated voters around her.
"They're very energized. There's new momentum," Rios Stafford said. "[From people] who are women, who are young people, who are from the African American community, the Hispanic community, but really people from all walks of life."
On July 25, the Democratic Party of Arkansas announced all Democratic members of the state Senate and House of Representatives are endorsing Harris for president.
"I’m excited to support Vice President Harris, and I’m going to work hard over the next 103 days to help make sure our country elects her as our next president of the United States," Senate Minority Leader Greg Leding said.
Arkansas lawmakers endorsing Harris:
- Leding
- Sen. Linda Pondexter Chesterfield
- Sen. Stephanie Flowers
- Sen. Fred Love
- Sen. Reginald Murdock
- Sen. Clarke Tucker
- House Minority Leader Andrew Collins
- Rep. Fred Allen
- Rep. Nicole Clowney
- Rep. Denise Ennett
- Rep. Deborah Ferguson
- Rep. Kenneth Ferguson
- Rep. Vivian Flowers
- Rep. Denise Garner
- Rep. Ashley Hudson
- Rep. Steve Magie
- Rep. Tippi McCullough
- Rep. Milton Nicks
- Rep. Mark Perry
- Rep. Jay Richardson
- Rep. Jamie Scott
- Rep. Joy Springer
- Rep. Tara Shephard
- Rep. David Whitaker
"Vice President Harris is a model servant-leader for Arkansas and has been a champion for women’s rights," Garner, who represents Fayetteville, said. "For our daughters and granddaughters, we are proud to stand with her in this fight."
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