4 key Democrats endorse Harris as support builds for US presidential nomination

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - A quad of US governors once seen as potential contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination threw their weight behind Vice President Kamala Harris Monday morning, further clearing the field of potential competitors ahead of next month's Democratic National Convention.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear's endorsements now make it much easier for Harris to secure the nomination. The senior Democrats made it clear in their announcements that they were stepping aside in order to strengthen the Democratic hand against Republican nominee Donald Trump.

"Donald Trump is a convicted felon, liable for sexual assault, and a congenital liar. He is a man wholly unfit for the office of the presidency both in character and temperament," Prtizker said in a statement.

"We must defeat him and his MAGA allies at every level this November," he added.

The sentiment was echoed by Whitmer, who said Trump is "a convicted felon who stokes violence, overturned Roe, attacked our auto industry which hardworking families depend on, left office after losing 100,000 manufacturing jobs, and drove our economy into the ground last time he was in the White House."

"Michigan, let's get to work. We cannot let Donald Trump anywhere near the White House. Let's go!" she added.

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin also announced Monday that he would not be seeking the nomination, but his potential candidacy was widely viewed as a long-shot potential bid, particularly after he left the Democratic Party to become an Independent. He continues to caucus in the Senate with Democrats, however.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, once seen as a strong contender for the nomination, was among the first to announce his endorsement of Harris shortly after US President Joe Biden said he would be ending his re-election campaign in an announcement that shocked many across the nation.

The announcement set off a flurry of speculation about what comes next for the Democrats as they navigate what former President Barack Obama called "uncharted waters."

The Democratic National Committee's rules committee is expected to meet this week to establish the process that will govern the selection of the party's nominee.

It is currently unclear if the nomination will be made via a virtual vote, or if the decision will be left to the Aug. 19-22 convention in Chicago when candidates would seek to win support from delegates in what would be known as an "open" convention.