NORFOLK, Va. — President Joe Biden’s Sunday announcement had many people talking.
“I think Senator Tim Kaine said it best,” said Gaylene Kanoyton, the president of Greater Hampton Roads Black Democrats. “If he thought that it was time for him to step aside, he would but it would have to be his decision.”
Over the weekend, Biden announced he’s exiting the 2024 presidential race. He later endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the next Democratic nominee.
"I wasn't surprised," Kanyoton said. "Vice President Kamala Harris has been with him [President Biden] 100% along the way. So, it was only natural for him to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris."
Lawmakers across the country, including in Virginia, sounded off on social media. Several Democrats stated their support of Harris like the organization Greater Hampton Roads Black Democrats.
“She is only going to bring momentum to all of this,” Kanoyton said.
Kanoyton was one of the 44,000 women on a Zoom call Sunday night put together by the organization ‘Win with Black Women.’ Overnight, the organization helped to raise more than a million dollars in support of Harris. Kanoyton said the call reminded her of her time as a delegate in 2008, working to gain momentum in Hampton Roads.
“It was the same feeling that I had in 2008,” she said. “We are just ready. We’re fired up and ready to go.”
Biden’s departure from the race comes just days ahead of the Greater Hampton Roads Black Democrats Grassroots Summit which engages voters in the political process and in the former Biden-Harris campaign. Kanoyton said the event’s mission doesn’t change.
“Our biggest focus is to stop Project 2025,” she said. “It is about restoring our democracy in America.”
Kanoyton adds support for Vice President means encouraging voters to head to the polls but also educating them on voter protection and making sure they’re registered to vote. That's also a part of this weekend's summit.
"We everyone to understand the goals of the campaign, what opportunities are available for you to get involved," she said. "There will be training. Also, there will be panel discussions."