Washington — On Tuesday, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Chuck Schumer, the leading Democratic figures in Congress, publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President, marking a pivotal moment in the 2024 Democratic primary race.

Background and Announcement

In a highly anticipated press conference held in Washington, Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, and Jeffries, the House Minority Leader, formally declared their support for Harris. This endorsement reflects a broad-based enthusiasm and unity within their Democratic conferences. Schumer conveyed his excitement, asserting, "We are brimming with excitement, enthusiasm, unity," while addressing reporters. His remarks underscored the collective eagerness among Democratic leaders to support Harris’s candidacy.

Jeffries, aligning with Schumer's enthusiasm, extolled Harris’s preparedness and capability to lead the nation forward. "She is ready, willing, and able to lead us into the future," Jeffries declared, emphasizing the confidence that both he and Schumer have in Harris’s potential as a presidential candidate.

Preliminary Discussions and Endorsement Timing

Although the endorsement was publicly announced on Tuesday, Schumer and Jeffries had previously expressed their desire to meet with Harris in person before finalizing their formal support. However, sources close to the leaders indicated that the anticipated in-person meeting with Harris had not yet occurred. Despite this, Schumer and Jeffries engaged in substantive phone discussions with Harris.

Schumer revealed that during a phone conversation with Harris on Sunday, she expressed a preference to secure the nomination through a grassroots approach rather than a top-down endorsement. "When I spoke with her Sunday, she said she wanted the opportunity to win the nomination on her own and to do so from the grassroots up, not top-down. We deeply respected that, Hakeem and I did," Schumer explained. He added, “Now that the process has played out from the grassroots, bottom-up, we are here today to throw our support behind Vice President Kamala Harris."

Recent Developments and Delegate Support

The endorsement from Schumer and Jeffries coincided with a crucial juncture in the Democratic primary process. Just a day prior, Harris had secured the majority of pledged delegates for the Democratic convention, positioning herself favorably as the presumptive nominee. The official vote to confirm Harris as the Democratic Party's nominee is scheduled to take place in early August, prior to the Democratic National Convention.

Previous Endorsements and Political Maneuvering

Before Schumer and Jeffries’ public endorsement, Harris had already garnered substantial support from prominent Democratic figures. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Harris on Monday, joining a diverse coalition of Democratic supporters. This group included progressive voices such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal, as well as popular governors who had previously been considered potential rivals to Harris.

Pelosi’s endorsement was particularly significant, given her influential role in persuading President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race, thereby clearing the path for Harris’s candidacy.

Behind-the-Scenes Negotiations

Schumer and Jeffries were also deeply involved in private, serious discussions with President Biden following a contentious debate that raised concerns about Biden’s viability for re-election. Schumer had a critical meeting with Biden in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on July 13. During this meeting, Schumer addressed Biden with what was described as "love and affection" while presenting a compelling case for his withdrawal from the race. According to a source familiar with the conversation, Schumer urged Biden to consider three pivotal factors: his legacy, the future of the country, and the impact on Congress. Additionally, Schumer emphasized the importance of the Supreme Court in his arguments.

The meeting concluded with Schumer expressing that he did not expect an immediate decision from Biden but hoped that the president would seriously contemplate his advice. Biden’s response was to request an additional week to consider his options, after which the two leaders embraced in a gesture of mutual respect.

Post-Meeting Dynamics

In the subsequent week, Schumer adopted a low public profile, opting instead to engage in private conversations with Democratic members, White House staff, Jeffries, Pelosi, and former President Barack Obama. Schumer’s approach was motivated by a belief that public criticism of the president would be counterproductive and potentially damaging. He advocated for a humane approach to the situation, focusing on ensuring that Biden could either effectively campaign for himself or support another Democratic nominee if necessary.

As Schumer had suggested in their previous discussions, Biden ultimately announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. He also endorsed Harris, aligning with the broader Democratic leadership’s support for the vice president.

Conclusion

The endorsements from Schumer and Jeffries represent a critical juncture in the Democratic primary race, signifying a unified front among key party leaders in support of Kamala Harris. This development underscores the transition of leadership within the Democratic Party and sets the stage for Harris’s forthcoming candidacy as the official nominee for the presidency. As the Democratic National Convention approaches, Harris’s path to the nomination appears increasingly solidified, with prominent party figures rallying behind her candidacy and advocating for a unified Democratic effort in the upcoming election.