Wisconsin Democratic leaders rally behind Harris as their presidential nominee
In the hours after President Joe Biden announced he was no longer running for reelection, support for Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the ticket has grown.
Prominent Wisconsin Democrats were quick to rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris after President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he would no longer seek reelection and endorsed Harris’ candidacy for president.
“Vice President Kamala Harris is a tenacious leader who has vigorously defended our democracy, fought to protect the freedoms we hold dear, and worked tirelessly to do the right thing and deliver for us,” Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement on Monday. “She can beat Donald Trump, and I’m going to do everything I can between now and November 5th to help make sure she does.”
Harris, who was born in California, was a U.S. senator for four years before becoming vice president. Prior to that, she was a prosecutor in the Bay Area and served as California’s attorney general for six years.
As vice president, Harris has been tasked with working on voting rights and immigration, and most recently she has led the administration’s fight for reproductive rights. In January, she visited Waukesha County to kick off a nationwide reproductive rights tour, and she made history in March in Minnesota when she became the first vice president to visit an abortion clinic.
Harris has Wisconsin roots, having lived in Madison from ages 3 to 5 while her parents worked at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Since becoming vice president, she has visited Wisconsin eight times, with a ninth stop scheduled in Milwaukee on Tuesday.
At a campaign event in Stoughton on Sunday, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin praised Harris’ record as attorney general and as a senator, specifically her time on the Senate Judiciary Committee. “I saw her, day after day, hold powerful organizations to account, powerful individuals to account,” Baldwin said, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “And I’ve seen her as vice president. She’s prepared, and I’m very proud to endorse her.”
In a statement, Baldwin said that Harris’ candidacy marks a new beginning for the Democratic Party and the country.
“I’m excited to keep working together to lower costs for Wisconsin families, grow our Made in America economy, and restore our fundamental rights and freedoms,” she said.
Attorney General Josh Kaul also endorsed Harris, saying on X that he was enthusiastic about supporting her. “She’s [sic] has been a champion for working families, battled special interests, fought crime, and been a powerful voice for reproductive freedom,” he said.
The state’s two Democratic members of Congress, Rep. Gwen Moore of Milwaukee and Rep. Mark Pocan of Madison, both endorsed Harris as well. Pocan said on X that he received a call from Harris on Sunday during which she said she is “ready to win in Wisconsin.”
Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski posted a photo of her and Harris and said in a tweet that she was “fired up to break that presidential glass ceiling.”
At least 13 mayors across Wisconsin have also said they support Harris, signing a letter with the Democratic Mayors Association endorsing the vice president. The list includes Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Racine Mayor Cory Mason, and Sheboygan Mayor Ryan Sorenson.
“As mayors, we are the closest to the people and understand better than most that too much is at stake for our communities to endure another Donald Trump presidency. Our rights, freedoms, and very democracy are on the line,” the letter states, saying that the group of mayors is confident that the momentum created by Biden will be continued by Harris. “She has been the president’s partner: delivering historic investments for our cities, championing working people, and fighting to protect our freedoms. We know she will continue to be a strong ally of mayors and cities. She is more than ready to lead our country.”
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who signed the letter and recently helped bring the Republican National Convention to his city, said in a statement: “Just as hard as I worked to support President Joe Biden, I’ll now focus my attention to make sure that we elect Kamala Harris to be the next president of the United States.”
