In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden has announced that he will not seek re-election and has thrown his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor for the Democratic presidential nominee. However, despite Biden's endorsement, the ultimate decision lies in the hands of the delegates who will officially nominate the party's candidate at the Democratic National Convention.

While Biden had secured a significant number of delegates, his decision to step aside means that he relinquishes the title of presumptive nominee, with no direct power to influence the selection process. The convention delegates, who have the authority to choose the nominee, are not bound by any law or party rules to support a specific candidate. Their responsibility is to reflect the sentiments of those who elected them.

Although Biden retains significant influence over the delegates who were preparing to nominate him, they are free to make their own decisions regarding their support for Harris or any other candidate. Furthermore, it remains uncertain when the Democrats will convene to officially select their nominee. Initially, a virtual roll call vote was planned for the first week of August to avoid potential legal complications in Ohio. However, adjustments to this timeline might be necessary if the delegates are not ready to ratify Harris' nomination immediately.

The nomination process will be governed by the Democratic National Convention rules committee, which comprises nearly 200 members, including Leah Daughtry, a veteran DNC insider and rules expert, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison has mentioned that the party will soon provide clarity on the next steps and the path forward for the nomination process.

The Democratic Party has been divided between those advocating for an open convention with multiple candidates and those seeking a smoother transition by supporting Harris. Any candidate wishing to contend for the nomination must act promptly. They need a petition signed by a minimum of 300 convention delegates and must sign the document themselves. This ensures that a draft effort cannot be carried out on someone else's behalf without explicit approval. To avoid favoritism, a petition cannot include more than 50 delegates from a single state, and delegates can only sign one nominating petition.

Despite the open nature of the nominating process, Harris enjoys structural advantages that position her ahead of other potential Democratic challengers. Her experience as vice president, having run for president, served on the ticket, won an election to be the designated replacement for Biden, and being involved in the administration's handling of major issues, provides her with a unique perspective and credibility. Additionally, Harris's affiliation with the Biden campaign and team further solidifies her candidacy as the one representing continuity.

A growing number of key Democratic Party officials are rallying behind Harris, including Ken Martin, the chairman of the Minnesota Democratic Party. Martin has reportedly spoken to several state party chairs who have all expressed their support for Harris. Their aim is to unify the party swiftly and avoid prolonged internal discussions that could hinder the campaign's progress.

Another significant advantage that Harris holds is access to the campaign's funds. As her name is listed alongside Biden's on the relevant legal forms, she is the sole candidate with a direct line to the Biden campaign's bank account, which reportedly had nearly $96 million by the end of June. This financial advantage provides Harris with a solid foundation to run her campaign.

As the delegates prepare to determine the Democratic presidential nominee, Kamala Harris emerges as the front-runner with a head start in the process. With Biden's endorsement, her experience, and access to campaign funds, Harris appears to be in a strong position to unify the party and move forward with her bid for the nomination.