Nebraska Democrats rally behind Kamala Harris for president
The vice president ‘is a fighter and believer in the rule of law,’ Democratic National Committee member Charlene Ligon said.
Like many of their national counterparts, Nebraska Democrats have coalesced around Vice President Kamala Harris as their nominee for president following the announcement by President Joe Biden that he was dropping out of his race for reelection.
Biden, 81, dropped out Sunday amid mounting public concern about his age following a shaky performance in his June 27 debate against former President Donald Trump. Biden quickly endorsed Harris as the nominee; an immediate boost in Democratic donations to the campaign followed.
The Nebraska Party’s 34 delegates to the Democratic National Convention pledged their support Monday to Harris. Harris now has the support of 73% of the delegates who will vote on the first ballot at the convention, according to the New York Times.
“Nebraska is proud to stand with Kamala Harris and pledge our support to her. The renewed energy across the state means more volunteers to knock doors and engage voters at the neighborhood level,” Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said in a news release.
Democratic National Committee member Charlene Ligon, in an email to the Nebraska Independent, said: “Vice President Harris is a fighter and believer in the rule of law. This is in contrast to her opponent Donald Trump, who is a convicted felon. VP Harris believes in fairness in the application of law and is dedicated to equal Justice under the law – not the privilege that Mr. Trump is getting.”
Other Nebraska Democrats expressed support for Harris to the Nebraska Independent when asked about Harris.
Jose Soto, who retired as an administrator at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, said he was fully behind Harris.
“Like President Biden and millions of other Americans, I have full faith and confidence in VP Harris’ ability to defend and lead our democracy toward a vibrant future,” Soto said. “Her lived experience, character and competence cement and advance Biden’s legacy of honesty, compassion and principled leadership that is needed to support the rights, hopes, and dreams of all. Harris doesn’t represent a ‘new America,’ she embodies the true American experience.”
Judy Vohland, who serves as the Hall County chair of the state Democratic Party, had similar sentiments.
“She is an intelligent leader and a strong advocate for the rights of women and everyone,” Vohland said. “She is the former attorney general of California and a former prosecutor. I look forward to a debate between the vice president and ex-president Trump.”
While Harris has burgeoning Democratic support, the party will not officially select its nominee until the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month.
Nebraska Democrats were also generous in their praise of Biden.
“The idea of building a more perfect union and a strong America for all is the foundation of our Democratic Party,” Kleeb said in a news release. “President Biden led our party and our country out of the darkness of Covid and brought true resources to communities across Nebraska to build energy, strengthen agriculture and lay the foundation for major infrastructure projects.”
State Sen. Tony Vargas, who is challenging Republican incumbent Don Bacon for the 2nd Congressional District seat, said Biden made a tough decision.
“We owe President Biden our gratitude for his longtime leadership and honorable service, and I believe his selfless decision to step aside will ensure that we have a strong nominee that can win and serve this country capably into the next four years,“ Vargas said in an emailed statement.
