US Presidential Election Update - A Surge Of Bets On Kamala Harris As President Biden Withdraws From Race
2 minutes US President Joe Biden confirmed at the weekend that he will not be running in November’s presidential election and instead threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris
In news that did not come as too much of a surprise, US President Joe Biden confirmed at the weekend that he will not be running in November’s presidential election and instead threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Triggered by a poor performance against rival candidate Donald Trump in a TV debate, Biden had lost the backing of several high-profile supporters of his Democratic Party. This in turn saw Donald Trump become the bookies’ red-hot favourite to return to the White House. Trump remains the market leader but the leading bookmakers certainly see Kamala Harris as a worthy candidate and she has been cut to just 2/1 with leading bookmakers BetMGM.
Harris Pays Tribute The The Outgoing President
In her first public appearance since President Biden’s withdrawal from the election race, Vice President Kamala Harris stated,
“Joe Biden’s legacy of accomplishment over the past three years is unmatched in modern history. In one term, he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms.
“I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau, we worked together as Attorneys-General in our states. Back then, Beau would often tell me stories about his dad. He would tell me about the kind of father, and the kind of man that Joe is.
The qualities that Beau revered in his father are the same qualities that I have seen every day in our president. His honesty, his integrity, his commitment to his faith and his family, his big heart and his love, deep love of our country – and I am first hand witness that every day our President Joe Biden fights for the American people and we are deeply, deeply grateful for his service to our nation.”
Notable Harris Endorsements
As well as receiving the backing of outgoing President Joe Biden, Harris has been endorsed by several high-profile Democrats including Bill and Hilary Clinton as well as potential running mate Andy Beshear
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear described Harris as "smart and strong" as well as "kind and empathetic", adding that she has his full endorsement. Beshear added that President Biden’s decision to step down will “secure his legacy”.
He continued by comparing Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s would-be Vice President, JD Vance, commenting “The contrast between her and those running on the other side couldn’t be clearer. As a prosecutor, as an attorney general – like I used to be – she prosecuted rapists, domestic abusers, stood for victims and put away those abusers. Now, look at the other side, where JD Vance calls pregnancy arising from rape ‘inconvenient.’”
Donations Rolling In
ActBlue also confirmed a significant surge in donations made by Harris backers with $46.7m worth of donations on Sunday alone making it what was described as the “the biggest fundraising day of the 2024 cycle”.
US Presidential Election Odds
(courtesy of BetMGM)
| Candidate | Odds |
|---|---|
| Donald Trump | 4/9 |
| Kamala Harris | 2/1 |
| Michelle Obama | 12/1 |
