Former U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is endorsing Kamala Harris to be the Democrat party’s nominee for president after Joe Biden officially announced on Sunday that he was leaving the race.

Pelosi had reportedly been instrumental in persuading Joe Biden to end his re-election campaign, according to extensive reporting across political media last week.

But after the US president announced yesterday that he would complete his term in the White House but wouldn’t be at the top of the ticket in November, and endorsed Harris, Pelosi did not initially follow suit.

However, less than 24 hours later she has issued a statement.

“Today, it is with immense pride and limitless optimism for our country’s future that I endorse Vice-President Kamala Harris for president of the United States. My enthusiastic support for Kamala Harris for president is official, personal and political,” Pelosi said.

Pelosi added: “Officially, I have seen Kamala Harris’s strength and courage as a champion for working families, notably fighting for a woman’s right to choose. Personally, I have known Kamala Harris for decades as rooted in strong values, faith and a commitment to public service. Politically, make no mistake: Kamala Harris as a woman in politics is brilliantly astute – and I have full confidence that she will lead us to victory in November.”

For the full read, visit The Guardian.