President Biden’s decision to end his reelection bid means Democrats must now quickly find a new candidate. The Democratic National Convention’s rules committee has called a Wednesday meeting to discuss the process for picking a new nominee.
Although many in the party quickly endorsed Vice President Harris as the nominee-apparent — as Biden did — Democrats still must make a formal nomination, either through a virtual vote that would lock in a new nominee in early August, or in an “open” convention.
What does Biden’s exit mean for the Democratic convention?
Biden’s exit from the race means that the Democratic National Convention will probably serve as the venue for the formal announcement of the party’s presidential nominee and new vice-presidential nominee.
Democratic Party officials said they will seek to pick a candidate by Aug. 7, well before the convention, because some states have August deadlines to get on the ballot for the general election, while early voting begins in some places in September, The Washington Post reported.
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“Working with the Convention Rules Committee, the Democratic Party is prepared to shift the nominating portion of the Convention to an electronic format to ensure that our Democratic nominees for President and Vice President are certified before state ballot access deadlines,” party officials said in a memo Monday.
When is the Democratic convention?
The dates for the convention are Aug. 19 to Aug. 22.
Where is the convention?
It will be in Chicago. Evening activities such as official proceedings and prime-time programming will take place at United Center, the home of the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks. Daytime events will be held at McCormick Place, the sprawling lakefront convention center, according to convention organizers. The Windy City hosted the 1968 Democratic National Convention — the last time the party was forced to pick a presidential candidate because its incumbent had opted not to seek reelection.
Can anyone attend the convention?
Party delegates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the American territories will attend the convention. The process for selecting delegates is the responsibility of the state parties and was due to be completed last month. It is also possible to attend the convention as a volunteer, after passing a background check, for duties including usher services and coordinating transport for guests.
How many people are expected?
The convention is expected to draw about 50,000 visitors to Chicago. An estimated 15,000 members of the press and about 5,000 delegates are likely to be in attendance.
Will it be an open convention?
Probably not. Party officials said they have ruled out an “in-person contested convention” because of ballot access deadlines, potential Republican legal challenges and the need to vet a vice-presidential candidate. Meanwhile, nearly all major potential challengers to Harris have said they would not contest her nomination.
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If the party is not able to arrive at a consensus on a new nominee before the convention, the Democrats would then have to hold what is known as an “open” convention — their first since 1968 — in which contenders woo delegates for votes. The potential for chaos in that unlikely scenario is high.
Biden had the support of 3,896 pledged delegates before he dropped out of the race. His delegates do not transfer to Harris based on his endorsem*nt.
Who will be the Democratic nominee?
With Biden out of the race and endorsing Harris, the vice president is the favorite — with many in the party quickly rallying behind her.
A majority of Democratic delegates have pledged to support Harris, signaling she is likely to secure the nomination in August. To win the nomination in the first round of voting, a candidate needs the support of at least 1,976 delegates. As of Monday, 2,214 delegates from at least three dozen states had endorsed Harris, according to a survey of delegates by the Associated Press.
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On Sunday, party chairs for the 57 states and territories said they are endorsing Harris. Delegations from Louisiana, New Hampshire, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina also endorsed Harris, and a handful of prominent governors, including California’s Gavin Newsom and New York’s Kathy Hochul, expressed support. At least 42 Democratic senators and 187 House Democrats have lined up behind the vice president.
Harris has said she will seek to “earn and win” the Democratic presidential nomination. She has not yet received the endorsem*nts of some prominent party leaders, and her approval ratings have largely mirrored the decline of Biden’s since 2021.
Who else could replace Biden?
Names of potential alternatives to Harris have been floating around since Biden’s announcement, but their chances of getting the nomination seem to be dwindling as support for Harris increases. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, all floated as possible contenders, have thrown their support behind Harris. An adviser to Sen. Joe Manchin III (I-W.Va.), told The Post he was considering re-registering as a Democrat to compete for the party’s nomination, but the senator later said he has no plans to pursue the nomination.
Who is the DNC chair?
Jaime Harrison, a former head of the South Carolina Democratic Party, chairs the Democratic National Committee. In a statement posted on social media after Biden’s announcement to not seek reelection, Harrison said Democrats would “undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate” who can beat Trump.
Harrison previously served as an aide to Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), a Biden ally.
Harrison said he was “emotional” about Biden’s decision. “I still support my president. And we will get through this, my friends, as we always do.”
Molly Hennessy-Fiske and Patrick Svitek contributed to this report.
