Fil-Am Attorney General Rob Bonta, California leaders back Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage prior to speaking at a post debate campaign rally, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)

LOS ANGELES – California elected officials, including Filipino American Attorney General Rob Bonta, have lined up to support Vice President Kamala Harris to take Biden’s spot atop the ticket.

“VP @KamalaHarris is tough as they come. She spent decades taking on the worst offenders — from drug and human traffickers to Wall Street banks who cheat consumers,” Bonta posted on X, formerly Twitter. “With our democracy and rights at stake, no one is better prepared to defend our values and defeat Trump. I’m all in!”

Bonta‘s position as California attorney general was held by Harris from 2011 to  2017. Succeeding Jerry Brown, Harris became the first female, Black and South Asian attorney general in the state’s history. Harris served until 2017, when she joined the US Senate after being elected in 2016.

VP @KamalaHarris is tough as they come. She spent decades taking on the worst offenders— from drug and human traffickers to Wall Street banks who cheat consumers. With our democracy and rights at stake, no one is better prepared to defend our values and defeat Trump. I’m all in!

— Rob Bonta (@RobBonta) July 22, 2024

Endorsing Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X: “With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President.”

Newsom also described Harris as “Tough. Fearless. Tenacious.”

Photos from Facebook

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who was reported to be on President Joe Biden’s short list of vice presidential candidates in 2020 when she was a congresswoman, endorsed Harris hours after Biden’s announcement endorsing Harris.

“Vice President Harris leads with strength, courage, and compassion. She has been an invaluable ally in our work to improve LA’s economy, safety and infrastructure, and in our work to house Angelenos,” Bass said.

“… California is stronger because of her work as Attorney General and Senator. America is stronger because of her work as Vice President. I am proud to endorse Vice President Harris to be the next President of the United States and call on all Democrats to join me in doing everything possible to help her win this election,” Bass added.

Harris administered the oath of office to Bass when she was sworn in as LA mayor in 2022.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) thanked Biden for stepping down and endorsing Harris. “You are a kind and decent man who is willing to make a sacrifice for what you believe is for the good of the country. Vice President Kamala Harris has my full support!”

Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-San Pedro) said Democrats will work to ensure Biden’s legacy is secure and “will support (the president) and Kamala Harris as the party moves forward, unified, in our efforts to put the American people over politics.”

Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine) said that as the party moves forward, “I hope we will have a process that energizes the electorate to set us up for victory in November. I look forward to Vice President Harris making her case to voters and I will support our nominee however I can so we keep the White House.”