MA Dems Line Up To Support VP Kamala Harris To Succeed President Joe Biden

MASSACHUSETTS — Massachusetts Democratic political leaders quickly fell in line behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's next presidential nominee after President Joe Biden abandoned his re-election bid and endorsed Harris on Sunday.

Several members of Congress and state leaders followed suit in backing Harris on Monday in an unprecedented hand off of party leadership weeks before the national convention and just over 100 days away from the national election.

"Vice President Harris is a champion for working families and reproductive freedom," U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, the Democrat Whip, said. "While Donald Trump campaigns on dividing the American people and rigging the system for the rich, Kamala Harris will grow the economy by growing the middle class and defend our core principles of democracy and justice for all."

• Biden Dropping Out Of Race For Re-Election; Harris To Run With His Endorsement

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton also endorsed Harris for the nomination to run against Trump, calling her "our historic vice president" and saying she "has the energy, the vision and the courage to unite our party."

Moulton was one of the first members of the Washington D.C. party delegation to call for Biden to withdraw from the race following last month's debate where Biden appeared to be disconnected and confused at times and praised his decision to step aside for Harris on Monday.

"The American people said that they wanted new nominees on both sides of the aisle but only the Democratic Party has delivered," Moulton said on Monday. "There are four months between now and the election, and that is plenty of time for Americans to see the dramatic contrast between Trump's dark vision for a second term and the bright, optimistic, opportunity-filled future I know Kamala Harris will present."

The Massachusetts Republican Party attempted to fire back on Sunday in tying the Biden-Harris administration together despite the age gap with Biden 81 years old and Harris, at 59, representing what some hope will be a turn to a new generation of leadership.

"Whether it's Biden or another Democrat, their scare tactics won't distract from their failed policies," the Mass GOP said in a statement. "From the economy to border security, Dems have fallen short.

"Americans want a shift, and we're confident that no Democrat will measure up to the Republican ticket."

Yet, in a state where Democrats hold the overwhelming majority of leadership positions, the support for Harris was widespread.

"There is no one better to stand up for our democracy, to lead on our values to carry forward the interests of Team Massachusetts and to beat Donald Trump than Kamala Harris," said Lt. Gov. and former Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll. "She is the clear and best choice and I am enthusiastically supporting her as the next president of the United States."

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern called Biden a "selfless, honorable, decent man who has led with humility, grace and integrity" and called his decision to withdraw from the race "an act of incredible patriotism" while pledging his backing of Harris.

"I'm proud to support Vice President Kamala Harris moving forward. As attorney general of California, she stood with those who had nowhere left to turn, prosecuting sex offenders and victims of for-profit college scams," he said. " As a senator, she championed legislation to fight hunger and combat the climate crisis. As vice president, she has stood up for women's rights and worked to represent America's interests on the world stage.

"She is proven, she is experienced, and she will unite this country and be an incredible leader."

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren issued a video endorsement of Harris and made the rounds on the cable news channels in support of her on Sunday and Monday.

"While Donald Trump tried to tear down our democracy to maintain his grip on power, President Biden willingly stepped aside in order to protect our democracy," she said. "Vice President Kamala Harris will continue to defend our democracy — and we've got to have her back."

U.S. Reps. Jake Auchincloss and Lori Trahan were also among the Massachusetts delegation honoring Biden and praising Harris as his successor on Monday.

"Joe Biden saved our Democracy in 2020, and he has worked with House Democrats to deliver unprecedented progress for the American people," Trahan said. "President Biden's decision to pass the baton positions us to defeat Donald Trump again this November and build on the work we've done.

"Together with our strong, proven Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats will make a clear, effective case to voters why our commitment to improving the lives of every American is the better choice than Donald Trump's chaotic and extreme Republican Party."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)