ROANOKE, Va. – Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to be the Democratic Presidential Nominee, according to an AP poll. This follows President Joe Biden’s announcement on Sunday that he will not seek reelection, a first in U.S. history so late in the process.
“This is unprecedented but the Democratic Party is following their rules,” said Virginia Tech Political Science Professor Caitlin Jewitt.
At the Democratic National Convention, over 4,000 delegates will vote for their preferred nominee. Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea, one of the delegates, has endorsed Harris. “I met her in May and was impressed,” said Lea.
Harris has strong support from delegates nationwide, including nearly unanimous backing from the 119 Virginia delegates.
“Everyone, except two who were traveling, supported her,” said Susan Swecker, Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Virginia.
Experts believe it’s unlikely things will change before the DNC starts on August 19. “After Biden endorsed Harris, others quickly followed. A contested convention seems unlikely,” said Jewitt.