Nevada’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention committed its 49 votes to Vice President Kamala Harris — securing the swing state’s slate of delegates for Harris as she attempts to rapidly consolidate support after President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race Sunday.
On a Monday night call, delegates agreed unanimously to throw their weight behind Harris, who had already garnered the support of a number of Nevada superdelegates — elected officials such as the senators, members of Congress and attorney general.
“Vice President Kamala Harris understands Nevada — we were the first battleground state she visited this year — and Nevada Democrats know Vice President Harris has been instrumental to the Biden administration’s historic progress,” Nevada Democrats Chair Daniele Monroe-Moreno said in a statement.
Nevada’s delegation now joins Tennessee, New Hampshire, North Carolina and South Carolina in announcing its intent to support Harris at the convention. Nearly all of the Florida delegates have committed to Harris as well.
All 49 of Nevada’s delegates had been pledged to Biden — the landslide winner of the state’s presidential primary in February — given that no other candidate reached the vote threshold necessary to garner the support of a delegate. With Biden exiting the race and releasing his delegates, they became free to vote for any nominee that could earn the support of at least 300 delegates at the Democratic convention.
While not an official mechanism — the state party is waiting for guidance from the Democratic National Committee — its pledge moves Harris closer to the 1,976 she will need to become the nominee. As of Monday night, the Washington Post reported that Harris has reached the threshold — though no official vote has taken place yet.
Nevada’s delegates are a mix of elected officials, party volunteers and local leaders. It includes the state’s two senators and three House members — each of whom endorsed Harris Sunday — as well as several state legislators and the state party chair.
No other major candidates have announced an intent to challenge Harris. She can officially become the party’s nominee at the convention in Chicago, which begins Aug. 19.
