Early on, Harris attracted a lot of attention in the first two Democratic debates, as she zeroed in on the early favorite, former Vice President Joe Biden, focusing on how Biden dealt with racial issues during his years in the U.S. Senate.
“I do not believe you are a racist,” Harris said, as she launched a well planned attack against Biden which provided her with an early boost.
But she could never sustain that momentum.
To my supporters, it is with deep regret—but also with deep gratitude—that I am suspending my campaign today.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 3, 2019
But I want to be clear with you: I will keep fighting every day for what this campaign has been about. Justice for the People. All the people.https://t.co/92Hk7DHHbR
Reporters informed Joe Biden after an event that @KamalaHarris was suspending her campaign. Biden returned to the scrum: “She’s a first-rate candidate and a real competitor and I have mixed emotions about it because she is really a solid, solid person and loaded with talent.”
— Natasha Korecki (@natashakorecki) December 3, 2019
“I’ve taken stock and looked at this from every angle, and over the last few days have come to one of the hardest decisions of my life,” Harris wrote in an email to supporters, announcing her decision.
“My campaign for president simply doesn’t have the financial resources we need to continue,” Harris said.
“I don't know anyone who thought Harris would be dropping out & Biden would be at 50% with black voters in December, after that debate moment in late June... but here we are,” tweeted political analyst Harry Enten.
Harris kept up her jabs at Biden in the second debate - and saw her poll numbers bubble up soon after - but that support faded away over the past four months.
Recent national polls had Harris under 5 percent. She had dropped to the same levels in Iowa, and was even lower in New Hampshire.
The poll slide came as fundraising suffered as well.
The decision by Harris comes just over two weeks before the next Democratic debate on December 19 in Los Angeles - which will be in her home state of California.
Harris emails her supporter list announcing "I am suspending my campaign today." pic.twitter.com/YFDs7fGfAv
— Nick Corasaniti (@NYTnickc) December 3, 2019
Per an aide, HARRIS did a full audit of the campaign’s dwindling finances before making an assessment over the weekend. She made the final decision to end her campaign on Monday.
— Christopher Cadelago (@ccadelago) December 3, 2019
At this point, these are the Democrats who will be on stage for the December debate: Biden, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Sanders, Steyer, and Warren.
About the Author