Kamala Harris accepts Joe Biden’s endorsement, praises his decision to withdraw from race in new statement

Vice President Kamala Harris accepted President Joe Biden’s endorsement after the president announced Sunday afternoon he will no longer seek reelection.

“I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” Harris said in a statement on Sunday. Her statement comes about two hours after Biden announced he was stepping off the ticket.

The president announced he was no longer seeking reelection after widespread concerns about his age and ability to lead for another four years following a poor debate performance. Dozens of high-ranking Democrats have called on Biden to step down or drop out of the 2024 race in the weeks following the June debate.

“On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office,” Harris said in her statement.

She touched on her personal relationship with Biden, noting how she worked alongside his deceased son Beau. Harris, the country’s first female vice president and the first Black vice president, called Biden’s actions “selfless and patriotic.”

With 29 days until the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Harris has not publicly announced a running mate.

“We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win,” she said.