More than 1,400 Black women and allies have voiced their strong support for President Biden and Vice President Harris in an open letter released on Thursday.
This move comes amidst growing calls within the Democratic Party for Biden to withdraw from the 2024 ticket following a challenging debate performance.
The open letter stressed the significance of the democratic process, noting that millions of Americans voted for Biden and Harris during the primary elections.
The signees argue that any attempts to alter the ticket undermine the voters’ decisions.
“The suggestion that any candidate who won their primary should simply step aside because victory appears difficult at the moment is disrespectful to the voters, unjust and undemocratic,” the letter asserts.
Among the prominent figures who signed the letter are Carol Moseley Braun, the first African American woman elected to the Senate; Keisha Lance Bottoms, former senior adviser to Biden and former mayor of Atlanta; and Melanie Campbell, chair of the Power of the Ballot Action Fund.
This show of support follows a wave of criticism from some Democrats, including Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who recently joined calls for Biden to step aside.
Reports have also surfaced about former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) pressuring Biden to reconsider his candidacy.
Some Senate Democrats have voiced concerns about the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) plan to certify Biden’s nomination ahead of the August convention.
However, the letter’s signees argue that Biden’s record should be the focal point, not a single debate performance. They highlight the administration’s legislative achievements and commitment to advancing a progressive agenda.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is running on a solid record of historic legislative accomplishments and a commitment to finish their agenda to improve the lives of all Americans, protect our rights, freedoms and democracy,” the letter states. It further criticizes the comparison of Biden’s debate performance to the record of his opponent, who they describe as a “serial liar who wants to destroy our democracy and be a dictator-in-chief.”
The letter underscores the historical lesson that division within a party leads to failure.
“As Black women, we are uniquely aware of the very real threat a second Trump term poses to our country and especially to our community. But this is not a moment to give in to fear. Instead, we must unify around our deep belief in our values and our ability to effectively engage voters and win up and down the ballot in 2024.”
President Biden has been working to regain support among Black voters, as recent polls show a decline in approval ratings within this demographic.
A new survey indicates that 64 percent of Black women would vote for Biden if the election were held today. However, strategists warn that ongoing infighting within the party could erode this support further.
In an interview with BET this week, Biden addressed some of the pressing concerns for Black voters, reaffirming his commitment to their issues.
The letter concludes with a call for unity within the Democratic Party, emphasizing the pivotal role of Black women in securing electoral victories.
“When Black women vote in record numbers, Democrats win. When Black women lead, organize, mobilize, encourage, and influence our families, spouses, partners, nieces, nephews, and neighbors to own their power and vote, Democrats win,” the letter states. “Now is the time for the Democratic Party to stop the attacks against their own presidential nominee that ‘we the people’ voted for and focus on defeating the real threat to our democracy and that is Donald Trump.”
