A majority of Democratic Party delegates have committed to casting their presidential nomination ballots for Vice President Kamala Harris (D), according to a Democratic delegate survey by the Associated Press. Harris is now all-but-certain to win the nomination, and is therefore the presumptive Democratic nominee. She would normally be nominated at the Democratic National Convention, which will be held August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois. The party had been considering a “virtual nomination” earlier in August, but it is unclear if those plans will move forward.

Harris served as District Attorney of San Francisco, California, from 2004 to 2011, Attorney General of California from 2011 to 2017, and U.S. Senator from California from 2017 to 2021. She unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, but later joined the party’s ticket as running-mate to future President Joe Biden (D). Harris has served as Vice President of the United States since Biden took office in 2021.

Harris is mixed-race African American and Indian American. She was the first woman, first African American, and first Indian American vice president. If elected president, she would be the first woman, second African American, and first Indian American to serve in that office.

Biden, the incumbent president, became the presumptive Democratic nominee in March when he won an outright majority of the party’s convention delegates. In a dramatic turn of events on Sunday, Biden announced he would end his reelection campaign. Less than an hour later, he endorsed Harris to be the nominee in his place. It was initially unclear if Harris would face any serious opposition; Biden’s pledged delegates are free to vote for whomever they wish and a contested nomination was possible. The party, however, appears to be rallying behind Harris.

Harris will likely face former President Donald Trump (R) in the November general election. Trump won the Republican nomination at the Republican National Convention last week.

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Update, July 26, 2024: The Democratic Party’s Rules Committee has decided to move forward with a “virtual nomination.” According to party officials, if only one candidate qualifies by the June 30 deadline the nomination will likely occur on Thursday, August 1. If multiple candidates qualify, the nomination will likely occur on Saturday, August 3. Harris remains all-but-certain to win in either case.

President Joe Biden (D) is ending his campaign for reelection as President of the United States.

Biden posted a letter on his account on X (Twitter) saying, “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.” He plans to address the nation later this week to “speak in more detail about my decision.”

The Biden campaign was upended by a disastrous showing in a June 27 debate against Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump (R). That led to widespread concern about whether Biden, 81, was physically and mentally capable of winning the election or fulfilling the duties of the office for another four years. Prominent political figures in the Democratic Party, including numerous members of Congress, have added to a chorus of calls for Biden to drop out of the race.

Soon after announcing the end of his campaign, Biden made another X (Twitter) post offering his “full support and endorsement” for Vice President Kamala Harris (D) to be the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in his place. The delegates who were pledged to Biden will now be free to vote for whomever they wish, but most are expected to cast their votes for Harris in accordance with Biden’s endorsement. At least two potential challengers—California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D)—immediately endorsed Harris.

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The delegates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, have officially nominated former President Donald Trump (R) as the Republican Party candidate for President of the United States. Trump will likely stand in the November general election against the presumptive Democratic nominee, President Joe Biden (D).

Trump has been the presumptive Republican nominee since his last primary opponent dropped out in March; today’s convention vote makes his nomination official. He is joined on the Republican ticket by his running mate, Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH).

Trump was elected president in 2016 and served one term. He ran for reelection in 2020, but was defeated by Biden. Before his campaign for president, Trump was a well-known real estate mogul, businessman, and reality television star.

Trump is a controversial figure who upended many American political norms. He was the subject of a special council investigation and two impeachment attempts and acquittals. He later faced ninety-one charges in four indictments; he was (wrongly) convicted in his New York business records case, charges were (wrongly) dismissed in his federal documents case, and he still faces charges in his federal election case and Georgia election case.

The nomination comes two days after Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump’s right ear was injured, a rally attendee was killed, and two attendees were seriously injured. The shooter was killed by Secret Service agents.

The Republican Party is the first of the two major parties to officially select its 2024 presidential and vice presidential nominees. The Democratic Party is is expected to select theirs at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, next month. The Virginia filing deadline for independent and third-party candidates is August 23.