President Joe Biden has dropped out from the US election and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. While many Democrats have rallied behind Biden’s decision and shown their support for Harris, some prominent voices have refrained from endorsing her.

Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer

While Biden’s endorsement of Harris led to a wave of immediate support from their fellow Democrats, two party leaders were among the initial holdouts: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Both men issued statements on Sunday praising Biden’s leadership — but they noticeably did not throw their backing behind Harris.

That changed on Tuesday, as Schumer and Jeffries held a joint press conference from Capitol Hill.

“Today is a great, great day for the Democratic Party and the country. Vice President Harris will soon be our nominee and will be elected president in November,” Schumer said, opening the briefing. “We are brimming with excitement, enthusiasm, unity.”

He noted the speed with which his fellow party members coalesced behind Harris. “President Biden’s selfless decision has given the Democratic Party the opportunity to unite behind a new nominee, and boy, oh boy, are we enthusiastic.”

Barack and Michelle Obama

Another prominent Democratic figure to delay his endorsement of Harris was none other than Barack Obama, the first Black president of the US.

But on Friday — five days after Biden exited the race — Harris released a video on YouTube showing herself taking a call from Obama and his wife Michelle.

“I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl Kamala: I am proud of you. This is going to be historic,” Michelle said in the video.

“We called to say Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and to do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office,” Barack added.

Like Schumer and Jeffries, Barack Obama had been quick to praise Biden in the hours immediately after his withdrawal. But the delay in his endorsement of Harris raised eyebrows, as the Obamas remain powerful figures in the Democratic Party — and big draws for donors.

Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded – again – that he’s a patriot of the highest order.

Here’s my full statement: https://t.co/Bs2ZumFXxe

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 21, 2024

Nancy Pelosi

On Monday, Harris won the crucial backing of Democratic heavyweight Nancy Pelosi, the former US House speaker and a key figure in ousting the 81-year-old Biden.

“With immense pride and limitless optimism for our country’s future, I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States,” Pelosi, 84, said in a message on X.

“I have full confidence that she will lead us to victory in November.”

With immense pride and limitless optimism for our country’s future, I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States. I have full confidence that she will lead us to victory in November.
-NP pic.twitter.com/vBwv602GuR

— Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) July 22, 2024

Bill and Hillary Clinton

In a joint statement, former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was the Democratic nominee in 2016, endorsed Harris as the presidential candidate.

“Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we’ve got to elect her,” the Clintons said in a joint statement posted on X. “America’s future depends on it.” They also recognised Biden’s accomplishments and his presidency.

Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton pic.twitter.com/R7tYMFWbsu

— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 21, 2024

Governors: All the big ‘challengers’

Several prominent Democrats, including some who were previously considered potential contenders for the party’s nomination, have also supported Harris. They include California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

“With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision,” Newsom said in a statement on X. The post came more than five hours after an initial post reacting to Biden’s decision to exit the race.

Tough. Fearless. Tenacious.

With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump's dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President, @KamalaHarris.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 21, 2024

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer initially kept their statements limited to praise for Biden, but followed up with a Harris endorsement the next day.

The two were also viewed as potential challengers to Harris for the Democratic nomination after Biden dropped out.

Whitmer, who has had several high-profile clashes with Trump, returned to taking on the Republican candidate in recent days on issues such as abortion rights. Following several terms in the state legislature, Whitmer has served as Michigan’s governor since 2019. She is also vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.

“Today, not only am I fired up to endorse Kamala Harris for President of the United States, I’m proud to serve as a co-chair of her campaign,” she announced on X.

While Michigan is a coveted swing state, Pritzker’s home state of Illinois is a Democratic stronghold. A lawyer by training, Pritzker has won two terms as governor and previously served as co-chair for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Other prominent Democrats, including Buttigieg and Beshear

Pete Buttigieg, the transport secretary and 2020 Democratic rival who Biden included in his cabinet, also endorsed the vice president.

“Kamala Harris is now the right person to take up the torch, defeat Donald Trump, and succeed Joe Biden as president,” he said in a statement posted on X.

Other governors who have supported Harris include North Carolina’s Roy Cooper, Colorado’s Jared Polis and Andy Beshear of Kentucky.

I will do all that I can to help elect @KamalaHarris the next President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/bHkiqpa7Lg

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) July 21, 2024

Progressives, including AOC

From New York, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez offered her full support to Harris, saying, “Now more than ever, it is crucial that our party and country swiftly unite to defeat Donald Trump.”

Congresswomen Cori Bush and Ilhan Omar – who, like Ocasio-Cortez, are members of the party’s progressive wing, known as the so-called Squad – also rallied behind Harris.

Kamala Harris will be the next President of the United States. I pledge my full support to ensure her victory in November.

Now more than ever, it is crucial that our party and country swiftly unite to defeat Donald Trump and the threat to American democracy.

Let’s get to work.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 22, 2024

Elizabeth Warren and other Senate Democrats

Senator Warren from Massachusetts, who also fought for the Democratic nomination in 2020, endorsed Harris. “She is a proven fighter,” Warren said.

“Madam Vice President, we are ready to help,” Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz wrote on X.

Other Senate Democrats who endorsed Harris include Mark Warner of Virginia, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Alex Padilla of California and Patty Murray of Washington state.

Tina Smith of Minnesota also expressed her support, while other incumbents such as Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Jacky Rosen of Nevada rallied behind her. Both Brown and Rosen face strong challenges in the upcoming election.

According to local media reports, at least 26 Democratic senators have endorsed Harris, more than half of the party’s 51 members in the Senate.

I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. pic.twitter.com/UWMsVmOk8M

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) July 22, 2024

Democratic National Convention delegations

Some state delegations to the Democratic National Convention expressed their support for Harris.

The final decision on whether Harris stays will rest with the roughly 4,000 delegates who will vote for the next person in August. Earlier, the delegates pledged support to Biden. But they are under no obligation to support his choice.

However, according to reports, at least 531 delegates have announced their support for Harris. These include the Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina delegations, among others.

During a meeting today, the Tennessee Delegation to the 2024 Democratic National Convention voted to support @KamalaHarris for President of the United States.

— Tennessee Democratic Party (@tndp) July 21, 2024

Donors

ActBlue, a major Democratic fundraising platform, is reporting a huge surge in donations following Biden’s announcement.

According to the group, it raised more than $27.5m “in the first five hours of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign”.

NEW: Small-dollar donors raise over $27.5 million on ActBlue in the first 5 hours of Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign. Grassroots supporters are energized and excited to support her as the Democratic nominee.

— ActBlue (@actblue) July 21, 2024

Black legislators, state attorneys general back Harris

The influential Congressional Black Caucus as well as the country’s six Black state attorneys general have thrown their support behind Harris.

Representatives Gregory Meeks and Steven Horsford said in a statement that Harris “will do an excellent job” as president of the US while the state attorneys general said “There is no one more qualified to lead and continue to uphold the values of our great nation.”