MINNEAPOLIS — All of Minnesota's top Democrats have now said they're on board with Vice President Kamala Harris' quest for the White House, just two days after President Biden chose to remove himself from the race.
Governor Tim Walz, who co-chairs the Democratic National Committee's rules committee, threw his support behind the Vice President. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith also endorsed Harris already, as have three of Minnesota's four Democrats in the U.S. House — Rep. Angie Craig, Rep. Betty McCollum, and Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Rep. Dean Phillips, who challenged Biden in the primary, tweeted that Harris is qualified to be president. But favors setting up a straw poll of delegates before outright nominating the vice president as the Democratic candidate for president.
Attorney General Keith Ellison, State Auditor Julie Blaha, and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are also in the Harris camp. Secretary of State Steve Simon, as the state's top elections official, doesn't endorse candidates.
Abou Amara, an attorney and Democratic strategist, said it's understandable why so many people have acted so quickly to line up behind Harris.
"We've got about 100 days until Election Day. We don't have much time to consolidate, or spend time bickering among ourselves," Amara said.
"And then there’s a lot of structural reasons why Kamala Harris should be the candidate – whether it be the money or the current infrastructure of the Biden Campaign."
Amara said it's essential that Harris pick her running mate soon, to broaden her base of support.
"The Democratic Party is a party of coalitions, and she has a part of that coalition, which is important, but there are other areas that are less enthused. And so, that vice presidential pick, although it normally doesn’t matter as much as we think, in this context I think it’s going to have a huge impact on bringing other folks on board."
He said that pick needs to be someone who will enhance the ticket and provide counterbalance to former President Trump's running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance. While Gov. Walz has been mentioned as a possible running mate, most analysts are pointing to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said she received so many texts and calls Sunday afternoon after Biden's announcement that her phone almost melted.
"The best conversation I had was with my daughter. She said, 'Mom, I'm excited!' I am too. This is historic," Flanagan said.
Lt. Gov. Flanagan was in Arizona Monday night headlining a fundraiser for Harris with Native American tribal leaders. She said the energy generated by Harris' sudden move to the head of the ticket will translate to grassroots efforts in Minnesota.
"I'm so moved, and I think there are so many people across the state of Minnesota and across the country who woke up this morning hopeful, who are ready to get to work, who have contributed, who will sign up for volunteer shifts."
Monday afternoon the DFL party announced they'd broken a fundraising record for a 24-hour period, raising more than $100,000 in one day, mostly from small donors.