“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign, the fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people,” said Kamala Harris while delivering her official concession speech at her alma mater Howard University.
Earlier today, according to reports, Harris called Trump and congratulated him on his victory.
In the early hours of November 6, the Associated Press declared Donald Trump the winner of the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, after Trump won the state of Wisconsin, handing him the state’s ten electoral votes that pushed his tally past 270.
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Harris Concedes
Speaking to a crowd of supporters, Harris thanked President Joe Biden, her VP pick Governor Tim Walz, election workers, and volunteers on her campaign. Striking a note of unity, she appealed to everyone to never give up fighting for democracy.
“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for,” she said. “But the light of America’s promise will always burn bright, as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”
She also confirmed that the current administration will engage in a peaceful transition of power as Trump takes office, and appealed to the audience to keep fighting for democracy while respecting the American constitution.
“I will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions, and aspirations,” she said, “where the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own body and not have their government telling them what to do.”
How The Election Panned Out
As predicted, the election was close, and it came down to the key battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The Associated Press has called Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin for Trump, who is projected to win in Arizona and Nevada as well.
So far Trump has secured 295 electoral votes to Harris’ 226, with a total of 538 electoral votes up for grabs.
At around 2:30 a.m., Trump delivered a victory speech to his supporters from West Palm Beach in Florida.
“This will truly be the golden age of America,” he said in his 25-minute address. “This is a magnificent victory that will allow us to make America great again.”
Trump’s victory means that he will be the first person with a felony conviction to become President. He will also become only the second American President after Grover Cleveland to serve two non-consecutive terms in the White House.
Harris, who has Indian ancestry on her mother’s side was vying to become the United States’ first woman president during a 107-day campaign which she called ” intentional about building community and building coalitions.”
“I’m so proud of the race we ran and the way we ran it,” said Harris.