Kamala Harris clears the path to the nomination as potential challengers fall in line

It took less than 24 hours for Kamala Harris to all but clear the Democratic presidential field.

Endorsements from a series of governors Monday morning — JB Pritzker of Illinois, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Wes Moore of Maryland and Andy Beshear of Kentucky — effectively ended talk of a serious contest for the party’s nomination after President Joe Biden’s sudden decision Sunday to drop out of the race. Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), who also briefly flirted with challenging Harris, also said Monday morning that he wouldn’t seek the nomination.

“I am proud to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president of the United States,” Pritzker said in a statement.

“Today, I am fired up to endorse Kamala Harris for President of the United States,” Whitmer wrote in her own statement.

“She is the fighter we need at this moment to realize the full promise of our nation,” Moore said.

The rapid demonstration of support was a show of force — and unity — after weeks of unrest and anxiety over whether the president would agree to step aside after his disastrous debate performance in late June.

As calls grew for Biden to step aside, Democrats had begun whispering about possible 2028 contenders who might be pulled into the 2024 race instead.

But there appeared to be little appetite for a contentious battle for the nomination. Biden backed Harris, his vice president, as his hand-picked successor, and others quickly fell in line. On Sunday, several of those potential challengers — Govs. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Gavin Newsom of California as well as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg — all publicly backed Harris.

It now appears that the race is for the second spot on a Harris ticket. Harris began making calls to elected officials Sunday, and at least two potential running mates — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Beshear — confirmed on Monday that they had spoken.

“It went great,” Cooper said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “We talked about winning this race.”

But asked if they would accept the second spot on the Democratic ballot, both Cooper and Beshear demurred.

“I appreciate people talking about me,” Cooper said, “but I think the focus right now needs to be on her this week.”

Pritzker, whose family founded the Hyatt hotel empire and could easily self-fund a campaign, said he spoke to Harris and explained why he didn’t jump on the bandwagon to endorse her on Sunday.

“I told her that President Biden’s selfless decision came as a genuine surprise,” he said in his statement. “I have worked hard during my time as governor of Illinois to try and bring a sober and mature approach to decision-making. It’s important to be thoughtful about what’s next for the Democratic Party and for the country, which is why I spent hours yesterday talking to fellow leaders in our party getting and giving input about the road to victory in November.”

At the end of that process, Pritzker came to the same conclusion as the other could-be contenders: It was time to back Harris for president.