Thank you, President Biden!
July 21st, 2024
Fellow Democrats, fellow Washingtonians, fellow Americans:
We are at a critical moment in the history of our democratic republic.
Fascism and authoritarianism are once again threatening our future — not externally as in decades past, but sadly from within. The Republican Party is no longer committed to republicanism, majority rule with minority rights, free and fair elections, or the other bedrock principles of our democracy. It has sadly morphed into a cult clamoring for authoritarianism. This tragic development leaves the Democratic Party as the only major political party in our country committed to upholding the United States Constitution, the rule of law, and the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence.
It is absolutely vital that our party mount a strong and united campaign this autumn in defense of our values so that we can keep the presidency and the Senate and flip the U.S. House.
That is why I'm so grateful to President Joe Biden for deciding today to pass the baton. It couldn't have been an easy decision, but it's in keeping with who Joe Biden is — a selfless leader and a true statesman who loves his family, party, and country and does what he knows in his heart is best for them. He's spoken before about being a transitional president, a bridge to the next generation, and he has been that. He was a calm port in a raging storm when we needed one. I believe he'll be remembered as one of our most progressive, effective, and courageous presidents. He has accomplished more than many people believed was possible with slim Democratic majorities and with an uncooperative, disloyal opposition.
Now that President Biden has decided to withdraw, we have important decisions to make. We must, of course, have a standard bearer for the presidency.
As an elected delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, I am among just over four thousand people, most pledged to President Biden, who now has the huge responsibility of selecting a new nominee. The President has made it clear that he would like us to nominate his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been an exemplary leader in her own right these last few years.
I am answering the President's call. I join our State Party Chair, Shasti Conrad, in enthusiastically endorsing Vice President Harris for the nomination.
I have full confidence that she is capable and ready for this challenge. She will be a great nominee for our party in this pivotal presidential election, and a formidable opponent to Donald Trump. I've seen her myself on the campaign trail, and I love the energy and vigor she's been bringing to this fight for our democracy.
This may be an unprecedented situation, but it's worth remembering that we elect a president and a vice president together. When you voted in 2020, you did not cast a ballot just for Joe Biden -- you voted for Kamala Harris, too. Their names were listed together, as a ticket. Their partnership endures today: We are governed by the Biden-Harris administration. I always use that phrase for this reason. The situation we're now should serve as a reminder of why the office of the vice presidency is so important. There should always be someone qualified, capable, and trustworthy who can take over should the need arise.
And it has.
Not much time remains before ballots are prepared and mailed to overseas and military voters in many states. The final night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention is just a month away.
We must move quickly to get organized and to unite for the home stretch of this campaign. I don't feel that is mechanically or logistically possible for anyone besides Vice President Harris to build a winning campaign at this juncture. I understand, from a journalist or pundit's perspective, the appeal of a contested convention, but that is not what our party and country need.
We will be best served if we are unified going into and coming out of our convention in Chicago. We have no infrastructure to facilitate a "mini primary," nor do I believe it makes sense for us to try to assemble that infrastructure. If other candidates wish to run and seek the nomination, they may under the Party's already established rules, but we should not devote precious time and resources to building infrastructure that would help other candidates circumvent Vice President Harris' bid.
I'm excited to work with and for Vice President Harris. We have an opportunity to make history again this autumn and elect the first woman of color to be President of the United States, repudiating fascism and authoritarianism as we do so. Let's get to it!
Democratically yours,
Andrew Villeneuve