New York City’s top elected Democrats are rallying behind Vice President Kamala Harris after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Mayor Eric Adams and other officials are endorsing Harris, emphasizing the need for unity and a clear message. Some prominent Democrats in New York, like Sen. Chuck Schumer, have not publicly supported Harris yet. The support for Harris extends beyond New York, with top Democrats around the country backing her. Recent polls show Harris performing well against Trump in swing states. The shift to supporting Harris has injected excitement into the election season and is expected to impact down-ballot races.
New York City Democrats Unite Behind Vice President Kamala Harris
New York City’s top elected Democrats have thrown their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race, with a unified message of rallying behind Harris to lead the Democratic ticket. Mayor Eric Adams, in a shift of endorsement, declared his full support for Harris, emphasizing the need for unity and a clear message to voters on important issues such as affordability, public safety, education, and border concerns.
Adams’ endorsement of Harris came after a conversation with Jay Jacobs, the chair of the New York State Democratic Committee, where they discussed the importance of unity within the party and the need for a cohesive message to the public. Governor Kathy Hochul was among the first to publicly support Harris, followed by other officials like Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, City Comptroller Brad Lander, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Attorney General Letitia James.
While many prominent Democrats in New York have backed Harris, some notable figures like Senator Chuck Schumer and Representatives Hakeem Jeffries, Tom Suozzi, and Adriano Espaillat have not yet publicly endorsed her. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, while praising President Biden, did not mention Harris specifically, stating that there is still time for the party to assess voter sentiment before the convention.
The support for Harris extends beyond New York, with top Democrats nationwide, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other potential rivals like Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Mark Kelly, and Governor J.B. Pritzker, lining up behind her. Recent polls indicate that Harris is performing well against Trump in swing states, adding to the momentum of her candidacy.
The shift in support for Harris has injected excitement into the election season, with expectations of increased engagement in down-ballot races. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, who also endorsed Harris, believes that the unified backing for Harris will energize Democratic politics in both New York and across the country, giving the party a renewed sense of optimism in contested races.
The move to endorse Harris has been met with mixed reactions within the Democratic Party, with some expressing disappointment over Biden’s exit from the race but acknowledging the need to support Harris moving forward. The party’s candidate will be officially selected at the Democratic National Convention in August, where Harris is expected to emerge as a frontrunner with broad support from party leaders and voters alike.
Source: TheCity.NYC
