West Virginia delegates to the Democratic National Convention voted on Monday to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election, according to a party statement.
Harris, the first black woman nominated as a presidential candidate by a major political party, will break barriers and “pave the way for a more inclusive and representative democracy,” the party said in a statement.
“Vice President Harris is a staunch champion of reproductive rights,” Democratic Vice Chairwoman and Attorney General candidate Teresa Toriseva said in the statement. “In light of recent attacks on reproductive freedom, her commitment to protecting these rights is critical.”
“We need their leadership to ensure that every woman has autonomy over her own body and the freedom to make her own health care decisions,” she said.
President Joe Biden announced Sunday He would not seek re-election, ending weeks of speculation about his candidacy following his lackluster debate performance last month against his Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump. Biden endorsed Harris on Sunday.
Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, chairman of the Democratic Party, said Monday he supports Harris “wholeheartedly.”
“When we elected President Biden, we also elected Kamala Harris as vice president,” he told West Virginia Watch. “One of the roles of the vice president is to be president if, God forbid, something happens to the president. So to me, it’s the most logical choice, without hesitation. [to] support Kamala Harris [for] President.”
Harris needs 1976 votes at the National Convention to secure the nominationWest Virginia has 25 delegates and two alternates. The convention is scheduled to take place next month in Chicago.
