U.S. Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the next president in a statement Tuesday morning. He joined many political figures in Vermont and across the country who lined up behind Harris Sunday afternoon and throughout Monday, all but clearing the path for her to be the Democratic nominee to take on former President Donald Trump in the November election.
Welch’s announcement follows the one released Monday night by Vermont’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention next month, who unanimously pledged their support for Harris. U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt. Vermont’s sole U.S. representative, endorsed Harris in a statement shortly after President Joe Biden announced via social media Sunday afternoon that he would withdraw from the race and endorse his vice president.
“There is no candidate better equipped to take on Donald Trump and protect our democracy, to advance the Biden agenda, and help strengthen our communities in Vermont—and across America,” Welch wrote of Harris in his endorsement statement, posted to social media.
“Kamala Harris has rightfully earned overwhelming support from the grassroots of our party, including the unanimous support of Vermont’s pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention and the majority of delegates nationwide,” Welch continued.
“She has won the endorsements of her once-possible contenders and already raised over $100 million. Kamala Harris said she wanted to earn and win this nomination. She has—and she has reinvigorated this campaign,” he wrote.
Welch, who two weeks ago was the first Democratic U.S. senator to call on Biden to exit the race as questions about the president’s age and mental fitness mounted, expressed interest on Sunday in the party having an open race, which he said could strengthen the winner’s campaign.
“It’s really important for us as Democrats to take advantage of the extraordinary energy that’s been unleashed by the President’s decision to step aside, and show that we’re confident about engaging everyday Democrats to participate in this,” he said in an appearance with CBS News.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. has not yet formally endorsed Harris, though he thanked Biden for his service on Sunday.
