Washington — Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the election to President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, urging her supporters in a speech delivered from her alma mater to not despair, however to proceed “the battle that fueled this marketing campaign.”
Harris addressed a crowd of supporters, together with former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, from Howard College in Washington, D.C., after she was defeated by Trump within the race for the White Home.
“Let me say my coronary heart is full immediately. My coronary heart is full immediately, filled with gratitude for the belief you might have positioned in me, full of affection for our nation, and filled with resolve,” Harris stated. “The result of this election was not what we needed, not what we fought for, not what we voted for, however hear me once I say the sunshine of America’s promise will all the time burn vivid so long as we by no means quit and so long as we preserve combating.”
The vice chairman expressed gratitude to her household, President Biden, first girl Dr. Jill Biden, her working mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and her marketing campaign workers. Mr. Biden watched the remarks from the West Wing, the White Home stated.
“I’m so pleased with the race we ran and the best way we ran it. Over the 107 days of this marketing campaign, we have now been intentional about constructing neighborhood and constructing coalitions, bringing folks collectively from each stroll of life and background, united by love of nation with enthusiasm and pleasure in our battle for America’s future,” Harris stated. And we did it with the information that all of us have a lot extra in frequent than what separates us.”
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Harris stated the outcomes of the election have to be accepted and reiterated that she had spoken with Trump and is dedicated to a peaceable switch of energy.
“A elementary precept of American democracy is that after we lose an election, we settle for the outcomes,” she stated. “That precept as a lot as some other distinguishes democracy from monarchy and tyranny, and anybody who seeks the general public belief should honor it.”
Harris stated the nation doesn’t owe loyalty to a president or celebration, however to the Structure, “our conscience and to our God.”
“My allegiance to all three is why I’m right here immediately — to say whereas I concede this election, I don’t concede the battle that fueled this marketing campaign,” she stated.
The vice chairman pledged to proceed combating for democracy, the rule of regulation and equal justice.
“Typically the battle takes some time. That does not imply we cannot win,” she stated, delivering an attraction on to her younger supporters.
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Harris continued, “Don’t despair. This isn’t a time to throw up our palms. This can be a time to roll up our sleeves. This can be a time to arrange, to mobilize and to remain engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the long run that everyone knows we will construct collectively.”
The vice chairman’s speech got here simply hours after she known as Trump to congratulate him on his win and mentioned the “significance of a peaceable switch of energy and being a president for all Individuals,” a senior aide to Harris stated. The vice chairman, in her position as president of the Senate, will preside over Congress’ counting of electoral votes throughout a joint session on Jan. 6 that may reaffirm Trump’s victory.
CBS Information projected Wednesday that Harris had secured 222 electoral votes, in need of the 291 amassed by Trump, her Republican opponent. Trump surpassed the 270 electoral votes wanted to safe the presidency simply after 5:30 a.m. ET Wednesday, after locking up the battleground states of Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
The vice chairman known as Trump to congratulate him on his win and mentioned the “significance of a peaceable switch of energy and being a president for all Individuals,” a senior aide to Harris stated. The vice chairman, in her position as president of the Senate, will preside over Congress’ counting of electoral votes throughout a joint session on Jan. 6 that may reaffirm Trump’s victory.
Steven Cheung, spokesman for the Trump marketing campaign, stated that through the name, the president-elect “acknowledged Vice President Harris on her power, professionalism, and tenacity all through the marketing campaign, and each leaders agreed on the significance of unifying the nation.”
Mr. Biden additionally spoke with Harris by telephone and congratulated her on a “historic marketing campaign,” the White Home stated. He additionally talked to Trump and “expressed his dedication to making sure a easy transition and emphasised the significance of working to carry the nation collectively.”
Harris was anticipated to handle supporters from Howard, the traditionally Black school the place she graduated in 1986, on election evening, however by no means made it to her alma mater because the outcomes got here rolling in. As a substitute, marketing campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond despatched the assembled crowd dwelling and stated Harris would communicate on Wednesday.
Election Day on Nov. 5 capped a chaotic and historic presidential election cycle that noticed two assassination makes an attempt towards Trump and was roiled by Mr. Biden’s sudden announcement in July that he would exit the race following a disastrous debate efficiency in late June.
Harris swiftly introduced her personal candidacy for the White Home, and Democrats rapidly coalesced round her as their choose to tackle Trump. Her nomination was solidified on the Democratic Nationwide Committee in Chicago in August, the place Harris made historical past as the primary lady of colour to prime a significant celebration ticket.
