While some Democratic politicians and Democratic National Convention delegates have not immediately jumped on the Kamala Harris bandwagon in the aftermath Sunday’s startling announcement by President Biden that he is stepping aside and endorsing the Vice President to take his place at the top of the ticket, that isn’t the case in North Carolina.

In a statement distributed Sunday evening, state Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton announced that the state’s entire delegation to next month’s party convention had voted during an emergency meeting to endorse Harris. This is from her statement:

“Our DNC Delegation is thrilled to announce that we unanimously endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to be the next President of the United States. This November it’ll be a prosecutor going up against a felon. It will be experience going up against extremism. We know that with the infrastructure and the organizing powerhouse we have spent years building, North Carolina will send VP Harris to the Oval Office.”

Like so many other Democrats across the country, the statement also lauded and thanked President Biden for his service:

“North Carolina Democrats are deeply thankful to Joe Biden. He is a true public servant and history will know him as being one of the most consequential and legislatively successful presidents in our nation’s history. During his administration, President Biden made historic investments in people – from our jobs, to our health care, to our infrastructure. As always, he has been a champion of our Democratic belief that every American in every community deserves to thrive.”

A state party leader weighs in

In an interview with NC Newsline shortly after the statement was released, the party’s Second Vice Chair, Dr. Kimberly Hardy, an Associate Professor at Fayetteville State University and former state House candidate, echoed the sentiments expressed in the statement — calling it both a bittersweet day for party members who feel a deep affection for Biden, but also one in which the party received a big jolt of new energy.

Describing Harris as a leader who is “built and ready for this moment” and “someone who is exactly what you see,” Hardy said the vice president has proven herself over the past three-and-a-half years as a person who is more than ready to lead the nation.

When asked whether the U.S. is ready for the kind of historic presidency that electing a woman of color would represent, Hardy said she believes the nation has indeed reached that point. While acknowledging that misogyny and racism continue to plague the nation — something that Hardy said was more than evident in the campaign of Donald Trump — she also observed that the presidencies and campaigns of both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton had done much bring about “incremental progress” and gradually prepare the nation for a Harris presidency.

That, she said, in combination with Harris being “immensely qualified” can and should make the difference. Individuals can be good leaders and good candidates “whether they’re in heels or flats,” said Hardy.

Hardy also quickly disparaged and dismissed the idea floated by some GOP politicians that Biden’s decision to withdraw somehow indicates that he is not fit to complete his term. As a trained social worker who has worked with elderly clients, Hardy said it’s patently clear that Biden is not suffering from any disability that would prevent him from completing his term.

Hardy described the calls for Biden to resign as a “desperate” political move by a party that had premised its entire campaign on attacking the President and that has no idea “how to pivot” to facing Harris. Hardy added that she was especially looking forward to a Harris-Trump debate, though she expressed concern that Trump might find a way to avoid such match-up.

As for the prospects of Gov. Roy Cooper possibly joining Harris as his running mate, as has been mentioned in some circles, Hardy expressed excitement at the idea and said there is “a strong argument” for it — noting that Harris and Cooper have a friendship that goes back many years to the time during which they served as California and North Carolina attorneys general. In the end, however, Hardy said the decision is Harris’s to make and that she was confident Democrats would unite behind whatever selection she makes.

The Democratic National Convention will take place in Chicago from August 19-22.

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Some North Carolina Republican lawmakers are calling on President Joe Biden to resign from office following his announcement to end his 2024 presidential campaign.

Democratic lawmakers across the state took to social media Sunday to support Biden and thank him for his work as president.

Republicans on the other hand took shots at Biden and the Democratic party, raising questions about Biden’s ability to continue to carry out the duties of the presidency for the next six months.

Senator Thom Tillis wrote on social media:

“If President Biden can’t handle the rigors of a campaign, then he can’t handle the rigors of the hardest job in the world for another six months. And America can’t handle the disastrous Biden-Harris agenda for another four years.”

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson echoed those sentiments on X and accused Democrats of thwarting the will of primary voters.

“If Biden can’t run, he can’t serve. Democrats who like to talk about “protecting democracy” are throwing out the will of their voters because of bad polling.”

Rep. Richard Hudson wrote on social media calling Biden’s decision a “political scandal.”

“This is a scandal of historic proportions – President Biden is incapacitated, Democrats knew, and they lied to the American people to cover it up. If Biden is mentally unfit to campaign, he is mentally unfit to have the nuclear codes. Will Democrats now say he should resign?”

Rep. Virginia Foxx also took to social media writing simply: “President Biden should resign immediately.”

Not all Republicans took the opportunity to call for Biden to step down immediately.

Senator Tedd Budd released the following statement on X:

“The Democrat Party tried and failed to cover up President Biden’s cognitive decline. But they cannot cover up the record high inflation, open borders, and international chaos created by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. No matter the candidate, the American people must reject the radical progressive worldview that is now systemic in the Democrat Party.”

Rep. David Rouzer and Rep. Greg Murphy issued the following statements condemning the Democratic party but stopping short of calling for Biden’s immediate resignation.

RALEIGH – Peak peach season in North Carolina is well underway, and many farms are expecting an extended season through October this year. “Due to the warmer winter, many farms didn’t get a freeze after peaches began budding this year,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “That, combined with the sandy soil and good drainage where they grow best means our farmers have plenty of peaches at their farmstands, farmers markets and in the grocery store.”

Between 2017 and 2022, the number of peach farms and total peach acreage increased in North Carolina. As of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, North Carolina had 356 peach farms on a total of 1,273 acres. “North Carolina grows more than two dozen varieties of peaches. Growers are harvesting clingstone peaches now and will begin harvesting freestone varieties near the end of the month,” said Khaila Daye, marketing specialist with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The Sandhills region is kicking it into high gear in celebration of all things ‘peachy’ with N.C. Peach Week, July 18-28. The North Carolina Peach Festival runs July 18-20, in Candor. Additional events through July 28, include: Princess Peach Night at Red’s Corner, Peach-A-Palooza at James Creek Cider House, a free peach wine tasting at Watering Can Wines in Carthage, food and drink competitions throughout the week and more. To see the full event schedule, visit https://homeofgolf.com/peach-week/.

The Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Colfax will host Peach Day Thursday, Aug. 1. Visitors will be treated to free peach samples, face painting and more. The Piedmont Triad Farmers Market is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. offering shoppers locally grown fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, wines and specialty foods, plus seasonal products from N.C. nurseries, greenhouses, Christmas tree farms, turf grass and sod. The market is located off Exit 208 on Interstate 40, west of Greensboro near the Piedmont Triad International Airport. 

To find local peaches near you, download the Visit NC Farms app at https://visitncfarmstoday.com/.