New York, New Jersey delegates pledge support to Harris ahead of Democratic National Convention
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries are among the local delegates pledging their support for Kamala Harris for president ahead of the Democratic National Convention.
"We are brimming with excitement, enthusiasm and unity," Schumer said as he announced that Harris would be the candidate. "She said she would work to earn the support of our party and boy did she do so, in quick order."
New York and New Jersey joined other states to give Harris enough delegates to secure the Democratic presidential nomination.
There are 3,004 delegates pledged of the 1,976 needed.
Gov. Kathy Hochul led the New York delegates meeting, with Attorney General Letitia James, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Reps. Greg Meeks, Grace Meng and Adriano Espaillat also rallying the roughly 260 delegates who participated.
Mayor Eric Adams, a delegate, was not on the call but called Harris "a first-rate communicator." Adams said Tuesday he did not delay endorsing her over her handling of the migrant crisis and added he agrees with her position on the economy and public safety.
All of the Democrats in competitive congressional seats in New York state have now said they are backing Harris -- with Rep. Tom Suozzi tweeting his support after 10 p.m. Monday.
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On a similar call in New Jersey on Monday night, Gov. Phil Murphy and Sen. Cory Booker asked the delegation to pledge support for Harris, which they did. All of the state's congressional delegation, with the exception of Sen. Bob Menendez, has endorsed Harris for president.
He was not invited onto Monday night's call.
Harris made history when she raised $100 million and inspired nearly 30,000 people to volunteer to work on her campaign within the first 48 hours.
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to be held Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, but the party is holding a virtual roll call to formally nominate before in-person proceedings begin.
The convention's rules committee is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday to finalize its nomination process. A virtual vote is planned as soon as Aug. 1, with the process completed by Aug. 7.
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