Kamala Harris, Who Made History As Vice President, Secures Democratic Presidential Nomination

Vice President Kamala Harris officially locked up the Democratic presidential nomination on Friday after receiving the support of a majority of Democratic convention delegates in a virtual roll-call vote.

The expedited roll-call vote, which began Thursday ― more than two weeks before the convention is set to begin in Chicago ― does not conclude until Monday evening. But the Democratic National Committee said on a call with supporters on Friday afternoon that Harris had already crossed the majority threshold needed for the official nomination.

The nomination reflects Democrats’ determination to project unity following President Joe Biden’s historic July 21 decision not to seek a second term. The weeks preceding Biden’s announcement were marked by chaos and intra-party dissension following a disastrous June 27 debate performance.

Biden endorsed Harris shortly after withdrawing, spurring a wave of relief and excitement among Democrats that fueled a massive fundraising haul for Harris.

Harris, who broke barriers as Biden’s second-in-command, nonetheless faces an uphill battle to do that once again now that she’s the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.

Harris, 59, was the first Black, Asian American, and female vice president — and would break the same barriers as president. But to do so, she will have to overcome a complex set of political and practical challenges.

And she’ll have to do it mindful of the loss eight years ago by the first major party female presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton.

Having Harris at the top of the ticket also brings some benefits, however. For one thing, she has strong support among key Democratic constituencies: Senior Black elected officials, in particular, made it clear as Biden’s