In a dramatic joint session of Congress, Vice President Kamala Harris officially certified her loss to President-elect Donald Trump, marking the end of a whirlwind election cycle.
Despite raising a whopping $1 billion in under 12 weeks, Harris failed to carry Democrats to victory, losing the Senate and failing to retake the House from Republicans.
A Tough Pill to Swallow
In a moment of irony, Harris was addressed as “Madam President” during the joint session, not due to her electoral success, but as a nod to her status as president of the Senate.
The vice president’s electoral vote total was the smallest for a Democrat since Michael Dukakis in 1988, with Harris winning just 226 electoral votes to Trump’s 312.
A Chaotic Election Cycle
The 2024 election cycle was marked by chaos and violence, with hundreds of extra National Guard members providing security on Capitol Hill.
However, the snowy weather and Trump’s emphatic victory kept protesters and demonstrators at bay.
Meanwhile, Harris’s campaign and associated PAC spending neared an all-time record, but ultimately failed to yield the desired results.
A Wake-Up Call for Democrats
The Democratic Party’s loss has been described as a much-needed wake-up call. Harris’s failure to define herself on key issues, such as the economy and immigration, ultimately hurt her campaign.
Post-election surveys showed that she flip-flopped on several issues, including her previous support for the elimination of fracking in the US and decriminalizing border crossings.
Trump’s Victory
Trump’s victory was marked by a popular vote win, with 49.9% of the vote compared to Harris’s 48.4%.
The GOP nominee made significant gains among ethnic minorities and improved his margins among his white rural and working-class base.
Despite murmurings of potential criminal charges, no objections to the electoral count were raised during the joint session.
A New Era in Washington
As Trump prepares to take office, congressional Republicans have declared that he has a “mandate” to remake Washington.
The incoming president has promised to make significant changes, but it remains to be seen how he will implement his policies.
One thing is certain, however: the 2024 election cycle will be remembered as one of the most chaotic and divisive in recent history.
What’s Next for Harris?
As for Harris, her future in politics remains uncertain. Despite her loss, she remains a prominent figure in the Democratic Party.
Her concession speech emphasized the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and the need for Americans to fight for their democracy.
Only time will tell what’s next for the vice president, but for now, she’s taking her defeat in stride.