In the wake of Sunday's announcement by President Joe Biden that he would no longer be seeking re-election and instead be endorsing Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination, many local lawmakers were quick to come out in support of the vice president.
Others, while praising Biden's decision, have held off on publicly stating their support.
WATCH ANYTIME FOR FREE
 |
Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are. |
Here's a look at New England lawmakers who have already pledged to back Harris:
Gov. Maura Healey of Massachusetts
Get updates on what's happening in Boston to your inbox. Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey issued a statement Monday afternoon saying she is "proud to endorse Kamala Harris for President."
"Kamala Harris is a proven leader who has delivered for the American people again and again. As President, she will grow our economy, reduce costs, create jobs, and make sure every woman has access to the health care she needs. She’ll lay the foundation for lower interest rates and prosperity, and she’ll support NATO and American leadership abroad. I also know she will deliver for Massachusetts and support growth, innovation and investment in our state."
"Kamala Harris is the best person to make the case against Donald Trump. Trump is coming after our rights and our freedoms. And he will jack up costs on the middle class by gutting Social Security, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act."
"The future of our country as we know it is on the line. That’s why I am thrilled to support Kamala Harris as she works to earn the Democratic nomination and beat Donald Trump."
Congresswoman Katherine Clark of Massachusetts
Congresswoman Katherine Clark, the Democratic Whip, released a statement Monday morning saying she "proudly and enthusiastically" endorses Harris for president.
"Vice President Harris is a champion for working families and reproductive freedom. She stood up to corporate greed and lowered prescription drug costs for seniors. She expanded the Child Tax Credit that cut child poverty in half. She is a fierce advocate for affordable child care and housing and helped pass historic gun safety reform. She has fought back against Donald Trump’s abortion bans and will ensure that every woman can access full reproductive health care in every zip code in America.
"While Donald Trump campaigns on dividing the American people and rigging the system for the rich, Kamala Harris will grow the economy by growing the middle class and defend our core principles of democracy and justice for all. I’m proud to stand with Kamala and excited to get to work to elect her!”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts endorsed Harris on Sunday.
“I endorse Kamala Harris for President. She is a proven fighter who has been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion. As a former prosecutor, she can press a forceful case against allowing Donald Trump to regain the White House. We have many talented people in our party, but Vice President Harris is the person who was chosen by the voters to succeed Joe Biden if needed. She can unite our party, take on Donald Trump, and win in November.”
Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts
Ed Markey, Massachusetts' other U.S. senator, also announced his support for Harris.
"Kamala Harris is battle-tested and ready to serve," he said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. "She will galvanize voters and make history on Election Day. All in for Kamala."
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley also came out in support of Harris on Sunday.
“In this moment, it is clear that Vice President Kamala Harris is the best person to lead our party and our nation forward, and I am so proud to endorse her as our 47th President of the United States.
“Vice President Harris is a proven strong, empathetic, and moral leader. She has been a clear leading voice on abortion rights, healthcare justice and student debt cancellation. We worked together when she was in the Senate on legislation to address the maternal health crisis, support small Black businesses, advance housing justice, and protect voting rights. Our partnership on issues of consequence has continued during her historic tenure as Vice President. She is steady and she is consistent. I am confident in her ability to unite the party and build the coalition we need to win the White House, the Senate and the House.
“Vice President Harris pursuing the highest office in America is a powerful realization of a dream that so many have struggled for so long to make possible. As our next President, I know she will stand up for everyone who calls America home and work every day to make their lives better.
“I am deeply motivated by both what is at stake and what is possible. A more just America is possible. And building on the efforts of the Biden-Harris White House and organizers across the nation, I know a President Kamala Harris will steer this nation towards progress in partnership with all of us.”
Congressman Bill Keating of Massachusetts
Congressman Bill Keating of Massachusetts issued a statement Sunday endorsing Harris.
"As our country faces threats to our personal, civil, and financial rights from the prospect of a Trump-Vance administration, I am excited to support Vice President Harris as our Democratic nominee. A Harris Presidency will protect women’s reproductive rights, protect Medicare, and continue to cut prescription drug costs and expand healthcare access for all – and a Harris Presidency will keep our nation safer and more secure from global threats. As great as the accomplishments of the past three and half years have been, Kamala Harris will take those successes forward into the next four years."
Congressman Jim McGovern of Massachusetts
Congressman Jim McGovern of Massachusetts also spoke up Sunday in support of Harris.
"I’m proud to support Vice President Kamala Harris moving forward," he said in a post on X. "As Attorney General of California, she stood with those who had nowhere left to turn, prosecuting sex offenders and victims of for-profit college scams. As a Senator, she championed legislation to fight hunger and combat the climate crisis. As Vice President, she has stood up for women's rights and worked to represent America’s interests on the world stage. She is proven, she is experienced, and she will unite this country and be an incredible leader."
Congressman Seth Moulton
Congressman Seth Moulton of Massachusetts issued a statement Monday on Biden' decision to step down in which he also endorsed Harris.
"I'm proud to endorse Kamala Harris," he said. "She will unite the party & beat Trump."
Congresswoman Lori Trahan of Massachusetts
Congresswoman Lori Trahan of Massachusetts also weighed in Sunday.
"Together with our strong, proven Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats will make a clear, effective case to voters why our commitment to improving the lives of every American is the better choice than Donald Trump’s chaotic and extreme Republican Party," she said in a statement on X.
Congressman Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts
Massachusetts Congressman Jake Auchincloss was also quick to back Harris.
“We are going to put this forward to the American people and say, 70% of you said you wanted a change at the top of both tickets — Democrats have responded by passing the torch, Republicans responded with a convention that was a mosh pit on top of a human hand grenade.”
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of NH
Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire's senior senator, offered her support for Harris in a post on X.
"I am pleased to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic Party’s nominee and our next President of the United States. Vice President Harris has led the White House’s efforts to protect reproductive rights, personal freedoms and democracy. Given her experience as a former prosecutor and Senator, she has what it takes to lead and win at this critical time in our nation’s history. As I said yesterday, with the stakes as high as they are, we must unite and redouble our efforts to beat Donald Trump. We cannot allow MAGA policies of fear, retribution and isolationism to return to the White House."
Sen. Maggie Hassan of NH
Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire told NBC10 Boston at an event Monday that she is also endorsing Harris.
"I'm also very excited that the VP is steppign up here and seeking the nomination, and really pleased to be able to endorse her," she said. "I am very pleased to support a woman who's been a true champion for freedom, for individual rights to make sure that we are protecting a woman's right to make her own decision. She's been a partner with President Biden as they have worked to strengthen democracy at home and around the world, defend Israel while also seeking peace in the Middle East."
"At the end of the day this is a really clear choice," she added. "I'm very pleased to be able to support Vice President Harris as she seeks the nomination because the stakes in this election are high, and she is a proven, strong and capable leader who believes in freedom and democracy."
Congresswoman Annie Kuster of NH
Congresswoman Annie Kuster of New Hampshire issued a statement Sunday in support of Harris.
“Over the last several years, I have had the privilege of working closely with Vice President Harris as she has grown into one of the most effective and influential vice presidents in American history. I have full confidence in her ability to unite Democrats, Independents, and reasonable Republicans to defeat Donald Trump and the disastrous policies his administration would enact on the American people.
“I proudly endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to lead Democrats in this fight to defend our personal freedoms and reproductive rights, protect our democracy, and defeat Donald Trump and his extreme MAGA Republicans this coming fall. I look forward to working with Democrats across the country and the millions of Americans who voted in support of her and President Biden in this year’s primary to win the White House, hold the Senate, and take back the House of Representatives to finish the job.”
Congressman Chris Pappas of NH
Congressman Chris Pappas of New Hampshire joined Kuster in backing Harris.
“I am pleased to join New Hampshire's elected delegates to the Democratic National Convention in endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to become our next President. Vice President Harris is an accomplished prosecutor and public servant, and I’m confident in her ability to defeat Donald Trump and his extremist agenda, and move our country forward.
“We have so much more work to do, including lowering costs for working families, restoring a woman’s right to choose, and defending democracy at home and abroad. This election represents a pivotal moment for us to remember what we can accomplish when we come together, and I look forward to working alongside Kamala Harris to focus on making life better for all Granite Staters and Americans.”
Gov. Janet Mills of Maine
Maine Gov. Janet Mills issued a statement Sunday endorsing Harris.
I look forward to continuing to work with President Biden for the remainder of his term, and to doing everything I can to elect Vice President Kamala Harris, a friend and former colleague as Attorney General and a fighter for the people, as our next president.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree of Maine
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree of Maine issued a statement Monday backing Harris.
"Kamala Harris is a proven leader who has faithfully served alongside President Biden in one of the most successful terms our nation has ever seen. She is the most qualified person to continue the critical work protecting our freedoms, preserving our democracy, and growing our economy. I pledge my full support to ensure Vice President Harris' victory in November and am eager to work with her to keep Donald Trump and J.D. Vance out of the White House."
Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut
Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut also endorsed Harris on Sunday.
"I will be enthusiastically supporting my friend, Vice President Harris, to be our Democratic nominee for President. She has the perfect combination of experience, accomplishment, and deep love of country to lead our great nation. Let's go." he said on X.
He later added, "Just because I know people are rightly cynical, there was no coordination of all these endorsements. We all learned about the President’s decision when everyone else did. The outpouring of support for Kamala is organic. Because she can beat Trump and be a great president."
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued a statement backing Harris as well.
“I join President Biden in saying we should come together to support Vice President Kamala Harris."
Congressman Jim Himes of Connecticut
Congressman Jim Himes of Conncticut also weighed in Monday morning on X.
"Vice President Harris has proven herself to be a force in one of themost productive administrations in history. As a prosecutor, a senator, and our Vice President, Kamala Harris has demonstrated the leadership, competence and grace needed to defeat Donald Trump and lead our nation. I will do everything possible to see her elected in November."
Congresswoman Becca Balint of Vermont
Congresswoman Becca Balint of Vermont chimed in on X Monday, saying, "Energized and ready to elect @KamalaHarris."
Congressman Seth Magaziner of Rhode Island
Rhode Island Congressman Seth Magaziner issued a statement Sunday endorsing Harris.
"I wholeheartedly endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President. A district attorney, attorney general, senator and Vice President, she has the right experience to continue the progress made by the Biden-Harris Administration."
"The delegates to the Democratic National Convention are free to select the nominee of their choosing, and I will respect and support the nominee chosen by the delegates, but I hope the delegates choose Kamala Harris to be our nominee and our next President."
