Voters in Oakland React to Kamala Harris as Presidential Candidate

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at Westover High School in Fayetteville, N.C., on July 18, 2024. Allison Joyce/AFP via Getty Images

Voters in Oakland, California, shared mixed reactions after President Joe Biden suspended his reelection campaign and backed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him as the Democratic presidential nominee.

Ms. Harris, who was born in Oakland, was the first woman and woman of color elected as vice president. If nominated at the Democratic National Convention next month, she will compete against former President Donald Trump for the presidency.

She has received overwhelming support from state Democratic Party chairs and prominent figures within the party, including former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton–the first major female presidential nominee–California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and President Biden.

“Today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats—it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this,” President Biden said on X right after he halted his campaign.

Voters in her hometown who spoke to the Associated Press expressed relief at President Biden’s decision to drop out and endorse Ms. Harris, although there appeared to be some uncertainty.

“I think she would make a great president,” Beth Barany said. “I know she’s been busy these last four years making the deciding vote in the Senate, and I feel like people don’t know enough about her. We need to learn more about her.”

Scarth Locke said, “I’ll vote for whoever. If it was going to be Biden, it would be Biden. But I don’t think that Kamala was the choice because I think a lot of the country will dislike her and already does, especially in those swing states.”

Barry Spector said, “I think it’s a great opportunity for Harris and the Democrats to change policy now and say that the old guy is out and his policies along with them, we can finally start listening to the voice of the people.”

Some were curious about how the 59-year-old vice president would sway younger voters if she were nominated to replace President Biden.

“Mixed emotions. We’ll have to wait and see what unfolds in the weeks leading up to the convention,” Christian Garcia said. “We’ll see how Kamala begins to sway voters, and especially young voters.”

Malia Knapps said, “I think she has to work to have a bit more of a presence, a bit more, especially for younger voters. What I would like to see is if she does get the nomination, she’s working towards building that presence, building up her younger followers, and actually listening to them.”

Ms. Harris’s bid received immediate support from many elected Democrats, including 26 of the 47 Democrats in the U.S. Senate. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) said he believes that Ms. Harris “will draw a clear contrast” from former President Trump.

“She is prepared to be Commander-in-Chief and is the best person to meet this moment,” the Pennsylvania senator said in a statement.

The vice president has expressed her readiness to work to “earn and win the nomination.”

“I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation,” the vice president said on X, formerly known as Twitter, on July 22.