Vice Presdient Kamala Harris, left, with Colorado Rep. Leslie Herod, who was Colorado co-chair of Harris’ 2020 campaign, in an undated photo. (Courtesy of Leslie Herod)
Democratic delegates in Colorado began to show strong support for Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee for president almost immediately after President Joe Biden announced Sunday he would not seek reelection.
One of those delegates, state Rep. Leslie Herod of Denver, was Colorado co-chair of Harris’ 2020 campaign.
“I will be supporting Kamala Harris as our next president,” Herod told Newsline on Sunday, adding that she has seen Harris’ leadership qualities up close. “She really is committed to not only our country, but the people in it … She’s not an isolated leader. She is one that leads with the people and alongside of them.”
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Democratic delegate Jeri Shepherd said she signed a letter of support for Harris that’s circulating among Democratic delegates from around the country. On a version of the letter that she shared with Newsline, other Colorado delegates who signed include former state Rep. Joe Salazar and Howard Chou.
Salazar, a Democratic delegate who had previously called on Biden to exit the race, told Newsline he endorses Harris as the presidential candidate. He said members of the Democratic state central committee met Sunday afternoon. The members generally expressed “strong support” for Harris as the nominee, and no members expressed support for any other nominee, Salazar said.
U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, the assistant Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, also announced support for Harris.
“Vice-President @KamalaHarris is a dedicated public servant and trailblazer who has delivered real progress for the people of our country,” Neguse said in a post on X, with a photo of him posing with Harris. “I couldn’t be more excited to endorse & support her campaign for President of the United States.”
A spokesperson from U.S. Brittany Pettersen told Newsline that Pettersen is endorsing Harris.
Newsline sent inquiries regarding who they would support as their party’s presidential nominee to the other five Democratic members of Colorado’s congressional delegation. U.S. Rep. Jason Crow’s office replied that it would seek a response from Crow. Newsline had not received a reply from the other members as of the time of publication.
Secretary of State Jena Griswold also declared support for Harris in an X post.
“I am proud to support @KamalaHarris, a tremendous leader who is ready to serve this country as the next President of the United States,” Griswold, a Democratic delegate, wrote.
Democratic Gov. Jared Polis tweeted a set of three emojis — a coconut, palm tree and American flag — that was interpreted by some as support for Harris. Newsline contacted Polis’ office seeking clarification but had not received a reply by the time of publication.
Democratic delegate Wanda James, a University of Colorado regent, signaled her support for Harris in a post on X.
Herod said she had long supported Biden.
“I’ve always appreciated Biden for stepping up and putting a Black woman on the ticket with him, and running this country with her at the helm alongside of him,” she said.
She said that when she worked on the Harris campaign she got to know her personally, and that experience contributed to her support for Harris’ candidacy for president.
“I’ve always seen her as someone I’ve vastly respected, but mostly I held very dear the private conversations that I’ve had with her that have helped me to be the leader that I am today,” Herod said. “I have been able to receive her wisdom on multiple occasions right here in Colorado, while I’ve fought for various bills across the state … I very much have valued that kind of personal touch she brings to everything that she does.”
SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST.
The post Strong support for Harris among Colorado delegates emerges after Biden drops out appeared first on Colorado Newsline.