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President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he would withdraw from the 2024 presidential election, creating an unprecedented scenario for the United States. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee in the November 5 election against Republican Donald Trump.

Biden has secured nearly 4,000 Democratic delegates through primary elections in various states and territories. These delegates, typically committed to voting for him at the Democratic National Convention scheduled for August 19-22, are not bound by rules and can vote according to their conscience, potentially supporting another candidate.

By stepping aside, Biden effectively releases his delegates, opening the possibility for other Democratic candidates to vie for the nomination.

Who is Kamala Harris?

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris hosts an infrastructure event at the White House in Washington, U.S. — U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attends an infrastructure event addressing high speed internet in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building’s South Court Auditorium at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 3, 2021. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo

Kamala Harris, 59, was born in Oakland, California, to an Indian-born mother and Jamaican-born father. Her candidacy against 78-year-old Trump presents a significant generational and cultural contrast. The United States has never elected a woman president in its 248-year history.

Harris, a former attorney general of California and U.S. senator, previously ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 but lost to Biden, who then selected her as his vice president.

Harris is known for her strong stance on abortion rights, appealing to younger voters and progressives. While she is expected to follow Biden’s foreign policy on issues such as China, Iran, and Ukraine, she might adopt a tougher stance on Israel regarding the Gaza conflict if she becomes the Democratic nominee and wins the November election.

Polls indicate Harris performs similarly to Biden against Trump. In a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted on July 15-16, Harris and Trump were tied at 44% each, following the assassination attempt on Trump on July 13. In the same poll, Trump led Biden 43% to 41%, a difference within the poll’s 3-point margin of error.

Harris is married to lawyer Doug Emhoff, the first “second gentleman” in U.S. history. They have no children.