Former U.S. House Speaker and Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi announced on Monday that she supports Vice President Kamala Harris to replace President Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate after he concluded his reelection campaign. Pelosi stated, "Today, with great pride and boundless optimism for the future of our country, I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States. My enthusiastic support for Kamala Harris for president is both official and personal, as well as political."
Pelosi played a key role in the period leading up to Biden's announcement on Sunday that he would not run for another term, according to the Washington Post. After Biden's poor performance in last month's debate, she worked behind the scenes to convey concerns of Democratic House members to the White House. She issued a statement on Sunday praising Biden for his decision to withdraw but did not mention Harris, whom Biden quickly endorsed as his successor in the election.
Since Biden's withdrawal, more than 150 Democratic House members have endorsed Harris. Pelosi mentioned on Monday that her support for Harris, her fellow Democrat from California, comes after knowing her for decades. Harris previously served as a California senator and state attorney general. Pelosi stated, "Politically, make no mistake: Kamala Harris as a woman in politics is extremely intelligent, and I have complete confidence that she will lead us to victory in November."
