Former Vice President Joe Biden formally clinched the Democratic presidential nomination as he looks to take on President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
Biden won the delegates — with at least 1,991 delegates — to win the nomination for the Democratic Party on Friday. This follows after seven states and Washington, D.C., took to the polls on Tuesday.
“It was an honor to compete alongside one of the most talented groups of candidates the Democratic party has ever fielded — and I am proud to say that we are going into this general election a united party,” Biden wrote in a statement on Medium.
“I am going to spend every day between now and November 3rd fighting to earn the votes of Americans all across this great country so that, together, we can win the battle for the soul of this nation, and make sure that as we rebuild our economy, everyone comes along.”
Folks, tonight we secured the 1,991 delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination. I'm going to spend every day fighting to earn your vote so that, together, we can win the battle for the soul of this nation. https://t.co/sl3wFGabpg
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 6, 2020
Noting it is a “difficult time” in the U.S., Biden took aim at Trump, saying his “angry, divisive politics is no answer.”
“The country is crying out for leadership. Leadership that can unite us. Leadership that can bring us together,” he wrote, adding, “We need a president who cares about helping us heal — now.”
“Today, I’m once again asking every American who feels knocked down, counted out, and left behind, to join our campaign. Because we aren’t just building the movement that will defeat Donald Trump, we are building the movement that will transform our nation. I truly believe that when we stand together, finally, as One America, we will rise stronger than before. This is the United States of America. There is nothing we can’t do, if we do it together.”
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to be held August 17-20. The Republican National Convention is expected to be held August 24-27.
In the months leading up to the 2020 presidential election, the U.S. is faced with a difficult time with the coronavirus pandemic affecting at least 1.9 million Americans and unrest across the country for justice over George Floyd’s death.