Edited by: Fern Sidman

In the wake of President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, New York’s Democratic leaders have largely thrown their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s new standard bearer. According to a report on Sunday in The New York Post, this swift consolidation of support underscores the urgency and high stakes of the upcoming election, with Democrats eager to unify and present a strong front against former President Donald Trump. However, the unanimity was not complete, as three prominent New York Democrats refrained from endorsing Harris immediately.

The immediate response from New York’s Democratic leadership was overwhelmingly in favor of Harris. Manhattan Democratic leader Keith Wright encapsulated the prevailing sentiment, describing the momentum for Harris as unstoppable. “The winds are not just blowing toward Vice President Kamala Harris. It’s a hurricane for Kamala Harris for president,” said Wright, as was reported by The Post. “She’s the most qualified. She’s been vice president, a U.S. senator, state attorney general. She’s got the training.”

Despite this strong show of support, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams remained conspicuously silent on Sunday night regarding their stance on Harris’s candidacy, as per the information provided in The Post report. Their silence raises questions about potential alternative strategies or reservations within the Democratic ranks.

Governor Kathy Hochul joined the chorus of endorsements for Harris just before nightfall on Sunday, marking her as one of the later key figures to back the vice president. Hochul’s statement emphasized the Democratic Party’s unified mission to defeat Trump. “As Democrats, our mission remains the same: doing everything in our power to defeat Donald Trump,” Hochul said, as was noted in The Post report.  She praised Biden’s original choice of Harris as vice president, highlighting the excitement and energy it brought to the party. “That same energy will carry us to November 5 with Vice President Harris leading our ticket,” Hochul concluded.

Rodneyse Bichotte, the Brooklyn Democratic Party chairman and a close ally of Mayor Adams, also endorsed Harris, reinforcing her credentials and determination. “Vice President Kamala Harris is a fierce fighter with a proven progressive track record, deep experience in the Oval Office, and the determined drive to defeat Trump at the ballot box,” Bichotte said, according to the information in The Post report.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, a dedicated Biden delegate, expressed his unequivocal support for Harris. “In Vice President Kamala Harris, we are lucky to have yet another unshakable ally in Washington. This November, I wholeheartedly believe she will shatter that glass ceiling once and for all, and I look forward to working with her in continuing to move America forward,” Richards stated, as was pointed out in The Post report. His shift in allegiance reflects a broader trend among New York Democrats rallying behind Harris.

Similarly, Bronx Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, also a Biden delegate and secretary of the Bronx Democratic Party, emphasized Harris’s readiness for the presidency. “Kamala has been the vice president. She’s ready for the job. I believe she’s the best choice,” Dinowitz asserted, the report in The Post said. His endorsement highlights Harris’s experience and qualifications, reassuring voters of her capability to lead.

Robert Zimmerman, a Democratic National Committee delegate from New York, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Harris’s preparedness to face former President Donald Trump. “Harris is fully prepared from day one to confront Donald Trump head-on. The stakes are at their highest; the threat he poses is more dire than ever. And the future we can forge together has never been brighter,” Zimmerman declared, according to The Post report.

Adding significant weight to Harris’s candidacy, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State and Senator Hillary Clinton were among the first prominent New York figures to endorse her. The Post report indicated that their early support signals the importance of unity within the Democratic Party and their confidence in Harris’s leadership.

These endorsements from key figures reflect a broader effort to unify the Democratic base and present a strong, cohesive front in the face of formidable opposition. With the endorsements of Richards, Dinowitz, and Zimmerman, alongside the Clintons’ backing, Harris’s campaign is gaining substantial momentum.

The Democratic Party is rapidly coalescing around Vice President Kamala Harris. The Post reported that among the significant endorsements expected soon are those from influential African-American members of New York’s congressional delegation, including House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn and Queens Representative Greg Meeks.

Sources indicated to The Post that the endorsements from Jeffries and Meeks are imminent, signifying a pivotal moment for Harris’s campaign. Their support is seen as crucial in solidifying Harris’s position as the Democratic nominee and galvanizing the party’s base.

During a Sunday interview on 1010 WINS radio, New York City Mayor Eric Adams refrained from endorsing any candidate, opting instead to highlight the key issues he believes the Democratic ticket must address. “Everyone in the country should know exactly what the party is going to focus on, including border security and safety, and again, affordability, public safety, and really working for working-class people who believe the everyday cost of living is just seem to have elude them,” Adams stated, according to The Post report. He emphasized the importance of a clear and focused message to ensure Democratic success in the upcoming election. “I think if we’re clear on that message, we’re going to be successful in November.”

Jay Jacobs, Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee, also held back from immediately endorsing Harris, expressing a desire to consult with party delegates before making an official statement, as was revealed in The Post report. Jacobs indicated that a more comprehensive discussion on the future ticket is necessary, with a formal announcement expected in the coming days.