IL Dems: Harris Is 'Best Chance To Defeat Donald Trump'

CHICAGO — Illinois political figures are rallying behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic Party nominee following President Joe Biden's historic decision to drop his bid for reelection Sunday, less than a month before the Democratic Party's national convention is due to begin in Chicago.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is believed to harbor presidential ambitions of his own, endorsed Harris Monday morning after holding back in the initial hours after the 81-year-old president's announcement he would not continue to pursue another four years in the White House.

"When I spoke to Vice President Harris, I told her that President Biden’s selfless decision came as a genuine surprise," Pritzker said.

Pritzker said in a statement that he recognized Illinois plays a "unique role" as hosts of the Democratic National Convention." The governor, who has not signaled an interest in becoming Harris' running mate, also said he spent hours Sunday talking to Democratic Party leaders and sharing his input on strategies to defeat Donald Trump in November.

“Vice President Harris has proven, at every point in her career, that she possesses the skills, strength, and character to lead this country and the vision to better the lives of all Americans," Pritzker said. "From protecting women’s rights to defending American workers and strengthening the middle class, Vice President Harris is a champion of the American values we hold dear. She represents our Party’s best chance to defeat Donald Trump in November, and I will work my heart out to help her do that."

---

Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez, who was backed by Pritzker two years to take the role held for decades by indicted longtime Speaker Mike Madigan, said the state party was "fully committed to mobilizing our communities" to back the Harris campaign.

"We recognize the historic significance of her candidacy and profound impact her leadership will have on our state and our country," Hernandez said.

The state Democratic Party chair said the vice president's platform aligns with the priorities of Illinois residents, among them "economic justice," healthcare, reproductive rights and climate change.

"Vice President Harris stands as our best chance to defeat Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. Their radical agenda threatens to dismantle the progress we’ve made. We cannot allow their divisive and regressive agenda to prevail," Hernandez said. "We must protect our democracy, defend our rights, and uphold our Democratic values."

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, also endorsed Harris Monday.

"I'm proud to endorse my former Senate colleague and good friend, Vice President Kamala Harris, Durbin said in a statement.

"Our nation needs to continue moving forward with unity and not MAGA chaos. Vice President Harris was a critical partner in building the Biden record over the past four years," Durbin said. "Count me in with Kamala Harris for President."

Likewise, Illinois junior Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a co-chair of the Biden-Harris campaign and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee endorsed Harris and pledged to do all that she could to make sure she has sufficient support to defeat the Republican nominee and former president's "Make America Great Again" movement.

"Right now, Democrats must be fully united and put ALL of our energy into preventing Trump and his MAGA allies from rolling back all the freedoms and progress we've made," Duckworth said.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul endorsed Harris as part of a joint statement with the five other state attorneys general who are Black — Letitia James of New York, Anthony Brown of Maryland, Andrea Campbell of Massachusetts, Keith Ellison of Minnesota and Aaron Ford of Nevada.

"As District Attorney, Attorney General, Senator, and now Vice President, Kamala Harris has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting and expanding the rights of all Americans," the group said. "She has fought fearlessly to support hardworking families, strong unions, accessible education, reliable infrastructure, and healthy communities. She has staunchly defended our right to choose and preserved our most sacred right to vote. There is no one more qualified to lead and continue to uphold the values of our great nation."

Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch said Harris was the right choice to hold Trump responsible for the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade and, with her prosecutorial experience, was the right choice to campaign against Trump in light of his past and present civil and criminal cases.

"There is no greater celebration of Black excellence than nominating Kamala Harris to lead our party forward," Welch said.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and U.S. Reps. Danny Davis, Nikki Budzinski, Chuy Garcia, Delia Ramirez, Brad Schneider, Jan Schakowsky, Sean Casten, Bill Foster, Jonathan Jackson, Robin Kelly, Lauren Underwood and Mike Quigley have also endorsed Harris.

Related: Casten Praises Biden's 50 Years Of Public Service, Endorses Harris

With Biden's exit, the nomination process at the convention is expected to be adjusted to reflect his departure. The convention's rules committee is scheduled to meet this week to finalize the process, and Harris is working to secure endorsements from a majority of delegates.

The Democratic National Convention is set for Aug. 19 through Aug. 22 in Chicago, where the party will formally lock in its presidential nominees. The Republican Party officially nominated Trump and Vance, a first-term senator from Ohio, to head their ticket at its convention last week in Milwaukee.

---

Democratic National Convention Chair Minyon Moore released a statement in response to Biden's announcement said the convention was the most important time for the party to unite and commit to the coming campaign.

"Here in Chicago, our mission remains the same. During the convention, we will have an opportunity to show the country and the world who Democrats are and what we stand for. Over the past year, we have been building the stage — literally and figuratively — for President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats to tell our story to the American people," Moore said. "The historic progress Democrats achieved under the Biden-Harris Administration will still be central to that story, as will the story of what is at stake in this election."

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said in a statement Sunday that he believes Biden must resign if he is unfit to run for reelection.

"Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Biden to be the Democrat nominee for president," Johnson said, "the self-proclaimed 'party of democracy' has proven exactly the opposite."

On Sunday afternoon, Biden’s campaign was renamed Harris for President, with Harris inheriting a political operation of more than 1,000 staffers and campaign coffers containing nearly $100 million as of the start of this month. She made her first public comments as the presumptive nominee Monday at an appearance with college athletes at the White House.

"Joe Biden's legacy of accomplishment over the past three years," Harris said, "is unmatched in modern history — yes, you may clap — surpassing the legacy of many presidents who have served two terms in office."

Biden, who remains at home recovering from COVID-19, is expected to address his decision in a speech later this week.