After an embattled President Biden announced he was dropping out of the race, New York’s Democratic leaders rushed to band together to install Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s representative in the White House.
But there were three notable exceptions to the call to unite around Harris: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Mayor Eric Adams were all silent Sunday night about who would replace Biden.
“The winds aren’t just blowing for Vice President Kamala Harris. This is a hurricane for President Kamala Harris,” said Keith Wright, a Manhattan Democratic leader and Harlem native.
“She’s the most qualified person for the job. She’s served as vice president, a U.S. senator and a state attorney general. She has the necessary training.”
Meanwhile, Gov. Kathy Hockle endorsed Harris just before sundown Sunday, becoming one of several New York Democrats to voice their support for the vice president.
“Our mission as Democrats remains the same: do everything in our power to defeat Donald Trump,” she said in a statement sent shortly before 8 p.m. “When President Biden selected Kamala Harris as his vice president, he inspired incredible excitement for a new generation of political leaders, and that same energy will carry us through to November 5th, when VP Harris will lead our nominee.”
Rodneys Bechot, chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party and a close ally of Adams, also endorsed Harris for president.
“Vice President Kamala Harris is a fierce fighter with a progressive record, extensive experience in the Oval Office and an unwavering commitment to defeating Trump at the ballot box,” Bichotte said.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, a Biden representative, said he now supports Harris.
“We are fortunate to have another steadfast ally in Washington in Vice President Kamala Harris, and I truly believe she will shatter the glass ceiling for good in November. I look forward to working with her to continue moving America forward,” he said.
Bronx Councilman Jeffrey Dinowitz, a Biden delegate, also said Harris would be the nominee.
“Kamala has served as vice president, she is ready for the job and I believe she is the best choice,” said Dinowitz, who also serves as secretary of the Bronx Democratic Party.
Robert Zimmerman“We are ready to take on Donald Trump head-on from day one. The stakes are at their highest, the threat he poses has never been greater, and the future we build together has never been brighter,” said Harris, the Democratic National Committee chair from New York.
Two other key New York Democrats with national influence, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State and Senator Hillary Clinton, were the first to endorse Harris in New York early Sunday.
Sources say it’s just a matter of time before key African-American lawmakers and members of New York’s congressional delegation, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn and Rep. Greg Meeks of Queens, formally endorse Harris.
In an interview on 1010 WINS radio Sunday, Adams declined to state his preference for a specific candidate, instead focusing on the issues he would like the Democratic candidate to address.
“Every citizen should know exactly what the party’s priorities are going to be, including border security, security, and again, affordability, public safety, and really working for working class people who feel like they can’t afford the everyday costs of living,” Adams said.
“If we get that message across clearly, I think we’ll be successful in November.”
Jacobs said Sunday she plans to discuss future candidate selection with party representatives before making a statement in the coming days.
