By Ruth Bayang
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
The chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, Shasti Conrad, is calling for Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket.
President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he is dropping out of the 2024 race for the White House after mounting pressure to step aside. The concerns escalated following the June 27 debate against Donald Trump, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former president’s many falsehoods.
Conrad, the first Indian American woman to chair a major state party, said Harris’ “lived experience as a Black and Asian American woman has inspired millions of people, myself included, to see ourselves occupying the highest positions of power and leadership.”
Biden himself has also endorsed Harris to take on Trump, and encouraged his party to unite behind her.
Conrad praised Biden’s leadership, calling him “a true patriot who ensured the Democratic Party denied Donald Trump a second term and has accomplished more in one term than many presidents have accomplished in two.”
In support of Harris, Rep. Marilyn Strickland, the first Korean American woman elected to Congress, said Harris “is the most qualified to succeed Biden. She has my full endorsement and support.” State Sen. Joe Nguyen echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude for Biden’s leadership and “the opportunity to help Kamala Harris, the first Asian American to become president!”
“I am 1000% in for her to be our President!” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the first South Asian American woman elected to Congress, posted on X. “She has the smarts, the experience, the accomplishments and the agenda to lead us to victory in November. Let’s go!”
She added, “At a time when Donald Trump and his Republican Party have stripped away women’s reproductive freedoms, we will respond by finally electing the first woman to the presidency… I look forward to seeing Kamala Harris become the first South Asian American and first Black woman to serve as the President of the United States of America.
Sen. Patty Murray said in a statement, “I know Kamala Harris can win…. she is exactly the woman we need to prosecute the case against Donald Trump, save American democracy, lead the fight to restore abortion rights, and build an economy that puts working people—not billionaires—first. I will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as our next President.”
“History will record that, in this difficult decision and throughout his tenure, Joe Biden is a true patriot—today, as always, putting his country ahead of himself,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.
Conrad underscored the necessity of unwavering support for Harris.
“We cannot and will not survive another media cycle of hand-wringing about whether the country will accept a woman as our president. We must be ready to surround her with a wall of support and be ready to stand against the racism and sexism that we know will come. As a Party, we must not perpetuate any of the bigoted and wrong sentiments that we know will come from the Trump-owned Republican Party.”
A recent poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 6 in 10 Democrats believe Harris would do a good job in the top slot. About 2 in 10 Democrats don’t believe she would, and another 2 in 10 say they don’t know enough to say.
The poll showed that about 4 in 10 U.S. adults have a favorable opinion of Harris, whose name is pronounced “COMM-a-la,” while about half have an unfavorable opinion.
A former prosecutor and U.S. senator from California, Harris’ own bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination imploded before a single primary vote was cast. She later became Biden’s running mate, but she struggled to find her footing after taking office as vice president. Assigned to work on issues involving migration from Central America, she was repeatedly blamed by Republicans for problems with illegal border crossings.
However, Harris found more prominence as the White House’s most outspoken advocate for abortion rights after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. She has also played a key role in reaching out to young people and voters of color.
In addition, Harris’ steady performance after Biden’s debate debacle solidified her standing among Democrats in recent weeks.
Even before Biden’s endorsement, Harris was widely viewed as the favorite to replace him on the ticket. With her foreign policy experience and national name recognition, she has a head start over potential challengers, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Notable endorsements continue to pour in for Harris from members of Congress and Asian American advocacy groups.
AAPI Victory Fund: We will fight with all of our might to make @VP Kamala Harris the first South Asian and Black woman ever to serve as President of the United States. #WeStandWithKamala
Asian American Action Fund: Kamala Harris has consistently demonstrated her dedication to the values we hold dear: equality, opportunity, and justice for all. Her track record speaks volumes about her capability to lead our country towards a more inclusive and prosperous future. We are proud to stand with her and are confident in her ability to address the needs and concerns of the AANHPI community and all Americans.
ASPIRE PAC: We are proud to endorse Kamala Harris for President. She is the most qualified candidate and the right person to lead our country forward. We must all do our part to ensure she becomes the first AANHPI President of the United States.
Indian American Impact Fund: As one of Kamala Harris’s most vociferous supporters from the very beginning of her political career, Impact is thrilled to throw our support behind her candidacy for president. Harris possesses an extraordinary ability to unite our nation at a time when the stakes have never been higher. We are ready to leverage our extensive network of resources to mobilize South Asian voters, confident that they will be instrumental in delivering the White House to Kamala Harris in November.
Members of Congress:
Sen. Mazie Hirono: I’m proud to call Vice President Harris a friend and colleague, and I look forward to doing everything in my power to get her elected to the White House, so we can continue building on the progress of the last four years.
Rep. Ami Bera: You’ve been with me since the beginning, @KamalaHarris We have your back. Let’s win this race!
Rep. Judy Chu: @VP Harris fights for us all. She leads the fight to restore our reproductive freedoms. She stood up for us to fight anti-Asian hate. When a gunman killed 11 people in my hometown of Monterey Park, she was there to support us. I’m proud to endorse @KamalaHarris for President!
Rep. Ro Khanna: I am proud to endorse @KamalaHarris as our nominee. Her trailblazing candidacy as the first African American woman and first Asian American will be a jolt of energy in our party. Our party can now run on a message of hope and a vision for the future.
Rep. Andy Kim: I have full faith in Vice President Harris to lead a new generation of leadership for our country. Her candidacy is historic, not just the opportunity to elect the first woman, the first AAPI President, and a Black woman, but to continue on the incredible progress we’ve started. The time to unify is now. The stakes are high. Let’s move forward together.
Rep. Ted Lieu: Thrilled President @JoeBiden endorsed the most amazing and historic Vice President in history, for President: @KamalaHarris. Four years ago I was the first Member of Congress to endorse Kamala for President. VP Harris will be the Democratic nominee and she will win in Nov.
Rep. Grace Meng: I’m standing with @KamalaHarris as she earns & wins the nomination & builds on this incredible legacy.
Rep. Bobby Scott: The only person best situated to build on that record and defeat Trump is our Vice President @KamalaHarris. She is ready to serve and will make a great president. Let’s get to work!
Rep. Shri Thanedar: Supporting Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States. Looking forward to Helping Kamala Harris win Michigan and defeat Donald Trump. She is a great progressive leader and someone I respect a lot.
Rep. Jill Tokuda: We need Kamala Harris as president to be the strong (leader) we need in this moment, to protect our democracy, to restore our rights, and to ensure a brighter future for Hawai’i and all Americans.
Rep. Mark Takano: It’s time to unite behind Kamala Harris. We can and will win in November.