How California Democratic Party leaders mobilized hundreds of delegates to support Kamala Harris

On Sunday morning, less than three hours after President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid, the chairman of the California Democratic Party sent out a call to hundreds of people representing the state at next month’s national convention.

“Support Kamala Harris for President,” Rusty Hicks’ email read.

According to interviews with more than 20 delegates, this was just part of a desperate effort by Democratic Party leaders in the state to quickly drum up support for Harris.

Party officials and leaders used phone calls and text messages to urge delegates to support Harris. Some delegates were surprised by how quickly and persistently the party made its outreach, especially so soon after Biden’s announcement and endorsement. But many said they didn’t need the extra push to back the vice president from California.

The stakes were clear: California will send the most delegates to next month’s convention — and it’s Harris’ home state. Any hesitation from the influential, and expectedly supportive, contingent would do her no good.

“We are the largest delegation to the national convention, but we are also the delegation that has known Vice President Harris the longest,” said Andrés Ramos, chairman of the Sacramento County Democratic Party. “We have known her and supported her far longer than any other state.”

The state party’s targeted ground action continued into Monday. If there was any disagreement, it was quiet, representatives told The Sacramento Bee.

“As chaotic as the party can be at times, you would think that someone would have a problem, but that doesn’t seem to be the case so far,” said Sacramento State Rep. Michael Vargas. “Everyone seems to be falling in line.”

On Monday night, delegates voted to approve Harris’ nomination by the state party during a virtual phone call.

Of California’s 496 delegates at the convention, 424 had pledged to support Biden, but they can now vote for whomever they want now that he has decided to leave the race. They include delegates from congressional districts across the state, delegates from all parties, elected officials and state party leaders.

A delegate on the call said there was some concern expressed in the Zoom chat that leaders weren’t following procedure and giving people a chance to voice their opinions. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, introduced the motion to support Harris.

After the meeting, Hicks said more than 80 percent of delegates had already expressed their support for the vice president.

“I can certainly understand that hundreds of people want to say something — they have the opportunity to do so,” Hicks said. “At the end of the day, California is proud to support our own Vice President Kamala Harris.”

Since late June, top Democrats have been at odds over whether Biden should step down after a debate against Republican nominee Donald Trump, with critics saying the 81-year-old Biden was too old and unsteady. The ensuing media attention and party divisions have fueled infighting at a particularly crucial time in the Trump campaign.

The weeks of uncertainty surrounding Biden’s future gave Harris supporters a chance to brace for the possibility of her candidacy, quickly rallying delegates who were no longer aligned with the president. For many, Biden’s departure left them with mixed feelings. But they were excited about the chance to inject energy into a sputtering campaign.

“Once he made his decision, there was a strong unanimity,” said Kevin Sabellico, a San Diego delegate who volunteered for Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign.

“I didn’t hear a single member who wasn’t supportive,” he said. “We can all agree that the media frenzy that followed (the debate) was bad for our party. There is a strong feeling among the membership that we can’t have that again. We need to unite behind his obvious and natural successor.”

That was made easier by Biden, who endorsed Harris shortly after he decided to step aside. His decision to do so was significant for Merced-area Rep. Necola Adams.

“If President Joe Biden has confidence in his vice president,” Adams said, “then I do too.”

And that goes for the hundreds of thousands of Democrats who donated to Harris’ campaign: As of Monday afternoon, she had raised a record $81 million.

Still, other key Democratic figures did not immediately endorse Harris, leading to speculation about who would enter the race.

So did Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has long been rumored to have presidential aspirations of his own. His decision to endorse Harris on Sunday served as a show of support for the Northern California colleague and a way to say he won’t run. Pelosi also gave Harris her endorsement on Monday, ending speculation that the powerful lawmaker was backing an open race.

“There was a question about other candidates,” said Matthew Hilliard, a Siskiyou County representative, “but the question has shifted more to who she’s going to choose for her ticket.”

Despite the state party’s efforts, not all California delegates were immediately willing to support the proposal.

Savonnda Blaylock of the Stockton area said Sunday night that she supports the vice president but needs more time to make a decision.

“I take everything in and make sure I make the right, well-considered decision.”

Vargas, the Sacramento Rep., is “not at all surprised” that state party leaders “are pushing as hard as they are.”

“Her success is seen in national politics as a broader success for the California Democratic Party.”