Vice President Kamala Harris is promising to unite the Democratic Party after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek reelection.
Minutes after his announcement, President Biden endorsed Harris to be the new Democratic nominee.
"I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination," Harris said in a statement.
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Harris, the first female vice president in the U.S., continually stood by Biden as dozens of elected Democrats called for him to step aside. In her statement Sunday, she talked about how she believes President Biden will be remembered.
"His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office," she said
Harris added, “With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else.“
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Speaking about potentially leading the Democratic ticket, Harris said she would do everything in her power to make sure Donald Trump does not win in November.
"Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead," she said.
Scripps News learned that there was an all-staff call at the White House on Sunday after the president made his decision to leave the race. A source familiar with the conversation said Anita Dunn told staffers to focus on "doing the work" and touting the Biden-Harris administration's accomplishments.
She added that it was all hands on deck fighting for and defending Harris.
Scripps News confirmed that Harris filed paperwork on Sunday with the Federal Election Commission to run for president.
