What a week for election news. With the December debate coming up, the candidates seem to be dropping like flies. This time, it’s a major name ending a campaign that had begun with high hopes and an aura of “front runner” near the beginning. For California Senator Kamala Harris, however, that status never seemed to truly materialize. Earlier this morning we reported on new polling which showed Harris hitting an all-time low in support being overtaken by newcomer Mike Bloomberg. In that story, we speculated that the clock was already ticking on Harris’ exit. A few hours later, and here we are.
Harris has announced that as of today, she is suspending her presidential campaign and will go back to her duties in the U.S. Senate:
To my supporters, it is with deep regret—but also with deep gratitude—that I am suspending my campaign today.
But I want to be clear with you: I will keep fighting every day for what this campaign has been about. Justice for the People. All the people.https://t.co/92Hk7DHHbR
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 3, 2019
Harris had already qualified for the December Democratic debate, though her recent polling was abysmal for any candidate outside the bottom tier.
As the Washington Post reports, Harris entered as a “rising star” in the Democratic Party but departs with a battered ego:
Harris, 55, entered the race a rising star. Her January announcement rally in Oakland drew more than 22,000 people. Trump, himself, praised Harris at the time for having the “best opening so far” and a “better crowd, better enthusiasm” than the other Democratic candidates.
But Harris has struggled to recreate that level of enthusiasm. While she has consistently sought to be the candidate who could appeal to all parts of her party, she has veered from one message to another in an effort to kindle support.
Harris was also hindered by the internal dynamics of her campaign, which is run by her sister, Maya, along with longtime advisers and their partners in a California-based consulting firm. Multiple people in and around the campaign described competing power centers and said it’s unclear who, exactly, is in charge.
Her campaign had become very, very disorganized in recent months to the point that senior staffers lacked direction and many questionable decisions were being made. It’s unclear where Harris’ support will end up going, perhaps a mix of Biden and Warren could pick up a small boost.
Harris’ departure from the race will bring the December debate back to six candidates for now, though Tulsi Gabbard and Andrew Yang remain on the cusp of qualifying.
