Harris makes her first rally appearance in battleground Wisconsin as Democrats unite behind her for presidential bid

WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris is embarking on her first visit to a battleground state on Tuesday after securing enough support from Democratic delegates to become her party’s nominee to challenge former President Donald Trump. This comes just two days after President Joe Biden withdrew from the reelection race.

With the Democratic Party rallying behind her, Harris is heading to Milwaukee for her first campaign rally since launching her bid on Sunday, with Biden’s endorsement. Harris has already raised over $100 million since Sunday and has garnered support from Democratic officials and political groups.

Although Tuesday’s visit was planned before Biden’s exit, it now carries greater significance as Harris gears up to challenge Trump and aims to exude composure and confidence following weeks of uncertainty within the Democratic Party regarding Biden’s political future.

This visit follows the conclusion of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and marks Harris’s effort to sharpen her message against the GOP nominee with just over 100 days until Election Day. Wisconsin is a crucial part of the Democrats’ “blue wall” strategy alongside Michigan and Pennsylvania.

During a visit to her campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, Harris previewed key themes of her campaign against Trump, emphasizing her background as a prosecutor and contrasting it with Trump’s legal troubles. She positioned herself as a champion of economic opportunity and abortion rights.

Expressing gratitude to President Biden and the Democratic Party for their support, Harris emphasized the importance of presenting a clear choice to the American people in the upcoming election.

While Harris has secured significant delegate support, the AP is not yet confirming her as the presumptive nominee, as delegates still have the freedom to vote for their preferred candidate at the convention in August.

Harris is set to join major elected officials in Wisconsin for her campaign event, including Gov. Tony Evers, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, and other state leaders and labor representatives.

Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2024 election at https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024.