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 – 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/.

In a state expected to help decide the presidency, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did little to quell speculation on President Biden’s path forward as the Democratic nominee to a room full of North Carolina Democrats on Saturday.

Pelosi addressed more than 900 people at the North Carolina Democratic Party fundraiser in Raleigh — an event billed as a “Unity Dinner” during a time of discord within the party over how it will proceed in the 2024 presidential election campaign. All eyes are on Democratic leaders like Pelosi (D-San Francisco), who colleagues say has her finger on the party’s pulse, to get a glimpse of what Biden’s future holds.

The power she holds in the Democratic Party — and in the direction the party takes — was no better emphasized than in her introduction by Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.).

“When Nancy Pelosi speaks, everybody listens,” Adams said.

And with everybody listening, Pelosi gave a speech largely absent of references to Biden’s presidential bid.

Pelosi spent most of her speech recounting House battles over budget and policy, highlighting the importance of funding public education, and reiterating the dangers of the Republican agenda. When she did mention Biden, it was mostly to praise his administration’s policies.

At the end of her speech, Pelosi shifted to discussing the party’s plans in the coming months, focusing on efforts to mobilize voters rather than whom to mobilize behind.

“Are you ready for a Democratic president?” Pelosi said amid cheers. “I thought so.”

Biden’s dismal showing in his June 27 debate with Republican rival Donald Trump has led to significant fallout within the Democratic Party on whether the president is capable of winning.

The former speaker is among a growing group of prominent Democratic leaders who have expressed concerns behind closed doors over whether Biden can win in November. Pelosi has told Biden in private that Democrats may fail to regain control the House if he doesn’t drop out, but she later said their conversations were misrepresented.

Despite a swell of Democratic lawmakers calling for Biden to step aside, none of North Carolina’s seven Democratic representatives have publicly signaled support for finding a new nominee to lead the ticket.

While some reports say Biden is more open in private discussions to the idea of leaving the race, his campaign staff has continually reaffirmed his commitment to staying on as the nominee.

Brenda Pollard, a delegate from Durham who has attended five Democratic conventions, said she’s had conversations with Democrats around the state who want Biden to stay in.

“As a pledged delegate, until he says ‘I’m not,’ I’m going to continue to be pledged,” the 73-year-old said, adding later that she believes Vice President Kamala Harris has the qualifications to be president if Biden does end his run.

About 6 in 10 Democrats surveyed nationwide believe Harris has the makings of a good president, according to a recent AP-NORC Center poll.

North Carolina is home to one of the most hotly contested gubernatorial races in the country, pitting Democratic state Atty. Gen. Josh Stein against Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. The latter has become known for having a pugnacious style similar to Trump’s, making him a lightning rod for criticism about statements some have found offensive and harmful.

To reiterate the stakes of the governor’s race, Stein told the audience that voters have a choice between “two competing visions” in a close presidential election — one that he said North Carolina would play a large role in deciding.

“People in other states hunger for the kind of power that we have here in North Carolina. To possess this political power is a privilege,” he said.

Stein did not mention Biden, but instead wrapped up his speech saying Democrats will “keep the White House and defeat Donald Trump.”

Met by a standing ovation, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper also took the stage, saying Biden and Harris are “all in for North Carolina.” But most of his speech highlighted other issues, such as breaking the GOP’s supermajority in the state Legislature and getting Democrats elected to statewide offices.

Cooper has become part of the national conversation on the presidential race, as pundits consider who Harris’ running mate might be if she takes Biden’s place on the ticket. Cooper’s status as a termed-out governor in a swing state, as well as his strong support of the Biden-Harris administration, has piqued some interest on his prospects.

Seminera writes for the Associated Press.