It only took hours for Tennessee Democrats to throw their unanimous support behind Vice President Kamala Harris as she became the heir apparent to the Democratic Presidential Nomination on Sunday.
Statewide party leaders were already scheduled to meet on a video call Sunday evening. When news broke of President Joe Biden’s withdrawl from the race, Tennessee Democrats rapidly rallied around Harris. Soon, social media was flooded with endorsements, among them, State Senator Raumesh Akbari and State Representative Karen Camper.
“As dedicated supporters of the Biden-Harris administration, we stand united in our endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States,” Akbari and Camper said in a joint statement. They also praised Harris’ leadership and experience, expressing confidence in her ability to lead the country forward. calling her “battle-tested and battle-ready.”
State Rep. London Lamar posted on Facebook: “I’m with HER! Let’s make Vice President Kamala Harris President of the US! People! This is our choice. Democracy is on the line so fall in line and vote #Harris2024!!!
“I wholeheartedly support Vice President Harris,” posted Freda Player, who will cast a ballot as a delegate next month at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. “This is a historic moment. A woman of color is on the ballot to be President of the United States. She has local, state, and federal governing experience. She is uniquely qualified to be President of the United States of America for ALL people. She is the future of our party. I cannot wait to vote for her nomination at the Democratic Convention.”
“We were excited that it brought new energy,” Player also told Nashville’s WKRN. “We knew what energy it was going to bring to young people and to new voters and current voters who’ve been apathetic or who have been sitting out that there would be a new energy that feeds off of her energy.”
The National Women’s Political Caucus also issued a full-throated endorsement.
“Vice President Kamala Harris is prepared to run this country at this time when we are so divided on issues important to women and children,” said NWPC President and delegate Deidre Malone, who also sits on the board of The Tri-State Defender. “The National Women’s Political Caucus is proud to endorse her.”
Harris has stood with Tennessee Democrats too. In 2023, when State Reps. Justin J. Pearson, Justin Jones and Gloria Johnson were expelled from the Tennessee Legislature for loudly protesting in favor of gun reform, Harris met with leaders to encourage them.
Today, I stood with parents, students, and the Tennessee Three.
They won’t be silenced and their demands for gun reform must be heard.
In Congress and in state legislatures around our nation, leaders must have the courage to act. pic.twitter.com/j39Z0tyjLs
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) April 8, 2023