WV Dems endorse Harris for president  • West Virginia Watch

The West Virginia delegates to the Democratic National Convention voted Monday to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election, according to an announcement from the party.

Harris, the first Black woman to be nominated as a presidential candidate by a major political party, will break barriers and “pave the way for a more inclusive and representative democracy,” the party said in a statement. 

“Vice President Harris has been a steadfast advocate for reproductive rights,” Teresa Toriseva, the Democrats’ vice chair and candidate for attorney general, said in the statement. “In light of recent attacks on reproductive freedom, her commitment to safeguarding these rights is crucial. 

“We need her leadership to ensure that every woman has the autonomy over her own body and the freedom to make her own health care decisions,” she said. 

President Joe Biden announced Sunday he would not seek re-election to the office, ending weeks of speculation about his candidacy after a lackluster performance at last month’s debate against his  Republican opponent, former president Donald Trump. Biden on Sunday endorsed Harris. 

Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, chair of the Democratic Party, said earlier Monday he “wholeheartedly” supports Harris. 

“When we elected President Biden, we also voted for Kamala Harris as vice president,” he told West Virginia Watch. “One of the roles of vice president is to be the president, if God forbid, something happens to the president. So to me, it’s the most logical choice, without hesitation, [to] support Kamala Harris [for] president.”

Harris needs 1976 votes at the national convention to secure the nomination. West Virginia has 25 delegates and two alternates. The convention is slated for next month in Chicago.