California's Democratic delegates have informally agreed to support Kamala Harris, pushing her past the minimum threshold of 1,968 committed nationwide delegates required to nominate her as the Democratic candidate for president.
“Vice President Harris appears to have sufficient delegate support to become the Democratic presidential nominee," said Scott Tranter, Director of Data Science at Decision Desk HQ. "Given that DNC rules allow delegates to change their minds in these circumstances, she is not the presumptive nominee, but she certainly is the likely nominee.”
Late on Monday, Harris' campaign released a statement following the news.
"Tonight, I am proud to have secured the broad support needed to become our party’s nominee, and as a daughter of California, I am proud that my home state’s delegation helped put our campaign over the top," Harris said in the statement. "I look forward to formally accepting the nomination soon."
“This election will present a clear choice between two different visions. Donald Trump wants to take our country back to a time before many of us had full freedoms and equal rights. I believe in a future that strengthens our democracy, protects reproductive freedom and ensures every person has the opportunity to not just get by, but to get ahead."
Harris will not be considered the official or even the presumptive nominee until delegates make their formal votes at the August Democratic National Convention, or until the DNC holds a virtual roll call vote in advance of the convention.
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Within hours of President Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 election and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to be his replacement, delegates who will decide the next Democratic nominee were already pledging their support for Harris.
On Sunday, the entire Democratic delegations of New Hampshire and North Carolina voted to support Harris. State delegations in Louisiana, Maryland, Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and Iowa also voted to support Harris.
Utah's delegates also voted unanimously to back Harris at the convention.
California brings 496 delegates to the national pool, giving it a relatively heavy weight in determining nominees.
There are a total of 3,934 delegates at this year's Democratic convention.
This is a developing story. Stay with Scripps News for more updates.
