RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Delegates set to represent Virginia at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month are lining up behind Vice President Kamala Harris to be the party’s nominee for president.
“She is a person who has put convicted criminals behind bars, and that is exactly what we need right now versus a convicted felon in this election,” Richmond Mayor and DNC Delegate Levar Stoney told 8News.
With President Joe Biden dropping out of the race, all of Virginia’s 119 delegates are free to vote for whoever they want.
“I take this responsibility seriously,” said Stoney. “We will be involved, engaged in nominating the next President of the United States.”
So why are delegates backing Harris? Stoney says President Biden’s quick endorsement of Harris played a role.
“After Joe Biden’s endorsement last night, I am rock solid behind the vice president. I was riding with Biden from day one,” Stoney said. “I endorsed the president when he was in the caucuses in Iowa and I have been with him the whole entire time, so when he decided to bow out and he said that he would endorse VP Harris, I was riding with Biden on that decision as well.”
Meanwhile, Delegate Rozia Henson (D-Prince William), who currently serves in the House of Delegates, and will also represent Virginia at the DNC, says he’s backing Harris because she has led the fight for reproductive rights and has shown a willingness to calm the fears of those who want a more robust process before formally nominating Harris.
“She said that she was willing to earn the vote, so in a contested primary event happening at the DNC on roll call, she said she is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that she wins that nomination,” Henson told 8News.
The Democratic National Convention begins on August 19 in Chicago.