Michigan Democrats rally behind Kamala Harris for president

Michigan Democrats have united behind Vice President Kamala Harris as their presidential candidate after President Joe Biden announced on June 21 that he would not be seeking reelection.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer posted a video to social media the following day announcing she would serve as co-chair of Harris’ campaign. She had served as co-chair of Biden’s 2024 campaign.

“In Vice President Harris, Michigan voters have a presidential candidate we can count on to lower our costs, protects our freedoms and build an economy that works for working people,” Whitmer said. “She’s a former prosecutor, a champion for reproductive freedom, and I know she’s got Michigan’s back.”

Whitmer said Harris is a stark contrast to the Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump, whom she called “a convicted felon who stokes violence.”

As vice president, Harris has been tasked with leading the administration’s fight for reproductive rights. She visited Grand Rapids on a stop of her nationwide reproductive rights tour in February to recognize Democratic Michigan lawmakers for their efforts to protect abortion access. Harris most recently made a trip to Detroit in May to announce federal investments in Michigan auto manufacturers.

Harris has won the support of almost all the Michigan delegates to the Democratic National Convention who had previously committed to voting for Biden. The Michigan Democratic Party did not say how many of the 115 delegates pledged to Biden would back Harris, but in a July 23 press release said that the delegates “overwhelmingly” endorsed her.

“Our party and our delegation are built on values of hard work, community, and building a brighter future — and that is exactly what Kamala Harris represents,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes. “She has been a tireless fighter for reproductive rights, workers’ rights, and growing the middle class.”

As of Wednesday morning, Harris had the support of 85% of the Michigan delegates who will vote on the first ballot at the national convention in mid-August, according to the New York Times, which said she has well over the number of votes nationwide needed to win the nomination.

State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks issued a statement saying she believes Harris will win the presidential election in November because “she represents a future of opportunity and stability, not fear and retribution.”

Michigan Democrats were also quick to praise Biden for his years of public service to the country and for putting the country first in making his decision to exit the race.

Biden, 81, was facing growing public concern about his ability to win in November following his poor performance in a June 27 debate against Trump.

“Few public servants have given more to our country than Joe Biden. His record of accomplishment as a Senator, Vice President, and as President of the United States is unmatched,” U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, the Democratic front-runner for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat, said in a social media post. “Over the next four months, everyone who cares about our fragile democracy — Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike — must work together to defend it by electing a Democratic president this November.”