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Election 2024 updates: Harris makes 1st public appearance since Biden's announcement

President Joe Biden was under heavy pressure from fellow Democrats.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Julia Reinstein, Lauren Peller, Nadine El-Bawab, and Leah Sarnoff
Last Updated: July 22, 2024, 12:39 PM EDT

After President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the party favorite to replace him at the top of the ticket.

Biden endorsed Harris on Sunday -- and since then, many others in the Democratic Party are backing her.

With just a few months before the Nov. 5 election, all eyes are on Democrats as they work to lock in a candidate.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing:
10 hours and 35 minutes ago

Harris lauds Biden's 'unmatched' legacy in 1st appearance since Biden's announcement

Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday is making her first public appearance since Biden dropped out of the 2024 race and endorsed her.

Harris is giving remarks at an event celebrating the NCAA championship teams Monday morning on the South Lawn of the White House. She is filling in for Biden, who is recovering from COVID.

Vice President Kamala Harris arrives for an event honoring National Collegiate Athletic Association championship teams from the 2023-2024 season, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, July 22, 2024.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

"I wanted to say a few words about our president. Joe Biden's legacy of accomplishment over the past three years is unmatched in modern history," Harris said at the top of her statement. "In one term, he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms in office."

Harris didn’t specifically address her own candidacy, but said she was grateful for Biden's service to the country.

"I am firsthand witness that every day our president, Joe Biden, fights for American people. And we are deeply, deeply grateful for his service to our nation," she said.

-ABC News' Sarah Beth Hensley

11:08 AM EDT

Former VP Mike Pence: 'Biden made the right decision for our country'

Former Vice President Mike Pence's commented on the end of Biden's reelection bid on Monday morning, praising the president and pushing for national unity.

"President Joe Biden made the right decision for our country and I thank him for putting the interests of our Nation ahead of his own," Pence wrote in a statement on X.

President Joe Biden speaks at a news conference July 11, 2024, in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP

"After the assassination attempt on President Trump and President Biden's decision to end his campaign, now is a time for leaders in both parties to project calm and send a message of strength and resolve to America's friends and enemies alike that, whatever the state of our politics, the American people are strong and our American military stands ready to defend our freedom and our vital national interests anywhere in the world," Pence said.

He made mo mention of Harris in the post.

-ABC News' Brittany Shepherd

10:26 AM EDT

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorses Harris

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was the final holdout of potential Biden replacements to throw her support behind the vice president.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, May 4, 2023, in Oxon Hill, Md.
Alex Brandon/AP

"Today I am fired up to endorse Kamala Harris for the President of the United States," Whitmer posted to X on Monday.

-ABC News' Isabella Murray

10:20 AM EDT

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker endorses Harris

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker backed Harris on Monday.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker addresses the crowd at the Old Post Office, June 28, 2023, in Chicago.
Evan Vucci/AP

"I am proud to endorse Vice President @KamalaHarris for President of the United States," he wrote in a post on X.

Pritzker is one of the final potential Biden replacements to throw is support behind the vice president.

-ABC News' Isabella Murrary

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