State Democrats support Harris
All county Democratic Party leaders in the state and state party delegates to the upcoming Democratic National Convention voted Monday to support Vice President Kamala Harris as their new presidential candidate.
Both votes were conducted remotely via Zoom after President Joe Biden announced Sunday he was withdrawing from the Nov. 5 general election and endorsed Harris to succeed him as the party’s candidate.
A nominee will be selected at the Democratic National Convention scheduled for Aug. 19 to 22 in Chicago.
Phil Heasley, vice chairman of the Butler County Democratic Party, said he voted for Harris in place of Chairman Catherine Lalonde, who is out of the country.
“We think Vice President Harris is very capable of standing on her record and defeating Donald Trump in November,” Heasley said.
He said the party appreciates Biden’s service to the country and his efforts to unite the country.
“We appreciate the service Joe Biden has given to the country over the years as senator, vice president and president,” Heasley said.
He said Biden as well as some members of the U.S. House have recognized it is time to “pass the torch” to a new generation of Democrats.
County Commissioner Kevin Boozel, the county’s delegate to the convention, said Harris was the natural choice to replace Biden.
“I was a little bit surprised that President Biden decided to stand down, but not overly surprised,” Boozel said.
Harris is the “natural choice, natural selection” to replace Biden, he said.
“I think she’ll have the ability to garner a lot of support,” Boozel said. “It’s a little disheartening that voters are taken out of the process through delegates, but we’ll do the right thing for the American people.”
In addition, Boozel said he heard Gov. Josh Shapiro is on the shortlist of people being considered to run for vice president as Harris’ running mate.
