2020 Democrats thank Harris for friendship, candidacy after senator drops out
Democratic presidential candidates shared supportive messages for Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) Tuesday after she dropped her White House bid.
The presidential hopefuls thanked Harris for her friendship and leadership throughout the 2020 campaign.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) shared moments with Harris on the campaign trail, tweeting support for his “dear friend.”
“My dear friend @KamalaHarris is a trailblazer. I’ve loved serving with her in the Senate and every moment we’ve run into one another on the trail. Her campaign broke barriers and did it with joy. Love you, sister,” Booker tweeted.
My dear friend @KamalaHarris is a trailblazer. I’ve loved serving with her in the Senate and every moment we’ve run into one another on the trail. Her campaign broke barriers and did it with joy. Love you, sister. pic.twitter.com/HzLXw88NrM
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) December 3, 2019
Another of Harris’s Senate colleagues, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), said the campaign only brought her and Harris closer together.
“Kamala is a good friend and incredibly strong public servant. Sometimes campaigns can tear friendships apart but we have grown closer. Her good work will continue,” Klobuchar tweeted.
Kamala is a good friend and incredibly strong public servant. Sometimes campaigns can tear friendships apart but we have grown closer. Her good work will continue.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) December 3, 2019
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) thanked Harris for running a “spirited and issue-oriented campaign” and said he looks forward to working with her to “defeat the most dangerous president in history and ending the hatred and divisiveness that he has created.”
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire who is self-financing his presidential campaign, said Harris brought “important ideas and perspective to the race.”
“And we will especially need her leadership and commitment to justice in the Senate as Congress weighs impeachment,” he added.
Harris seemingly took a swipe at Bloomberg, a late entry to the field of Democratic candidates, when she announced the end of her campaign.
“I’m not a billionaire. I can’t fund my own campaign. And as the campaign has gone on, it’s become harder and harder to raise the money we need to compete,” Harris wrote to supporters.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) also seemed to call out Bloomberg in her tweet of support for Harris on Tuesday.
“Kamala is right—our system is deeply broken when billionaires can buy their way in. I’ll fight with you to make sure our government works for all of us,” Warren tweeted. She also thanked Harris for her for her commitment to “fighting for the people, for justice, and to holding Donald Trump accountable.
Billionaire philanthropist Tom Steyer also shared support for Harris as a friend and “fierce advocate for equality.”
“As a fierce advocate for equality, Sen. @KamalaHarris has been and continues to be a force in and beyond California. I’m proud to call her a friend, and I know her work on behalf of the American people is just getting started,” Steyer tweeted.
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) said Harris’s “leadership is critical,” while adding that he is “grateful for her voice in this race.”
Former Gov. Deval Patrick (D-Mass.), a late entry into the race, said the party and nation “are better” based on Harris’s talent and dedication, tweeting, “I look forward to working with her in the years ahead.”
Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro also thanked Harris for her friendship and candidacy.
I’m so thankful for @KamalaHarris’s friendship and candidacy in this race.
As a child of immigrants, she’s been a lifelong fighter for opportunity and justice for all Americans, and I’m glad she’ll keep fighting for an America where everyone counts. pic.twitter.com/09XFGYG7BD
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) December 3, 2019
South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D) thanked Harris for her “leadership and courage,” tweeting, “I know she will continue to fight fearlessly on behalf of the American people—and our democracy.”
.@KamalaHarris has spent her career advocating for the voiceless and the vulnerable. I am grateful for her leadership and the courage she brings to the Senate and the national debate. I know she will continue to fight fearlessly on behalf of the American people—and our democracy. https://t.co/63Y6vryasv
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) December 3, 2019
Former Vice President Joe Biden, who is on an eight-day bus tour across Iowa, told a reporter he has “mixed feelings” about Harris dropping out.
“She is a first rate intellect, a first rate candidate and a real competitor. I have mixed emotions about it because she is really a solid solid person and loaded with talent,” Biden said, according to ABC News reporter Molly Nagle.
.@JoeBiden reacts to @SenKamalaHarris dropping out of the 2020 race:
“She is a first rate intellect, a first rate candidate and a real competitor. I have mixed emotions about it because she is really a solid solid person and loaded with talent.”
— Molly Nagle (@MollyNagle3) December 3, 2019
Tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang said he was “stunned” to see Harris drop out. He called her one of his “favorite people to share time with on the trail.”
“So warm, smart, fiery and a true public servant,” Yang tweeted. “She offered my family help and guidance when she didn’t need to. Kamala I will see you soon.”
Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D), who feuded with Harris on the debate stage, sent her “best wishes” to Harris, the senator’s family and the campaign’s supporters.
“While we disagree on some issues, we agree on others & I respect her sincere desire to serve the American people. I look forward to working together on the challenges we face as a nation,” Gabbard tweeted.
Former Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.), a long-shot candidate, called Harris “one of the truly great leaders in the Democratic Party.”
“@KamalaHarris is one of the truly great leaders in the Democratic Party. Her campaign slogan ‘For the People perfectly embodies what public service is all about. April and I very much enjoyed the opportunity to get to know @KamalaHarris and @douglasemhoff on the trail,” he tweeted.
.@KamalaHarris is one of the truly great leaders in the Democratic Party. Her campaign slogan “For the People” perfectly embodies what public service is all about. April and I very much enjoyed the opportunity to get to know @KamalaHarris and @douglasemhoff on the trail.
— John Delaney (@JohnDelaney) December 3, 2019
Harris launched her 2020 bid as a leading candidate, showing promise when she took Biden to task during the early Democratic debates. In recent months, however, her campaign has endured declining polling numbers, staff turmoil and a lack of funds.
With Harris’s departure, there are now 15 candidates vying for the Democratic nomination.
Updated at 4:55 p.m.
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