Local Democrats react with enthusiasm to elevation of Kamala Harris

LACONIA — Local Democrats are responding with enthusiasm to Sunday’s announcement that President Joe Biden is not seeking a second term and is instead throwing his support behind his Vice President Kamala Harris. They laud Biden’s decision to step aside, and express optimism for the Democratic ticket with Harris' name at the top.

“I’m very pleased, I think President Biden was a giant in service to the country,” said Rep. Dave Huot, a retired judge who represents NH House Belknap County District 5, which takes in five of Laconia’s six wards. “Leaving and setting up Kamala Harris in that position is a great thing for the country.”

Huot said Harris could win over voters in New Hampshire by making the case the state and its residents would succeed if she were to win the presidency. Harris should “take care of things that need to be taken care of in the state and in the country. Following in the footsteps of Joe Biden is a good way to do that,” Huot said.

Marcia Hayward, vice president of the Laconia Democratic Committee, said she has sensed an injection of energy in the party since Biden broke his news.

“I am a big supporter of Joe Biden, I think he’s been a great president,” Hayward said. “However, I think it was the best move for him to leave. I will be a full supporter of Kamala Harris, she has energized the race and we are back on track to beat [Donald] Trump.”

Support for Harris as Biden’s successor appears to be unanimous among the 25 delegates tasked with representing New Hampshire’s Democratic primary voters at the Democratic National Convention in August.

That unanimous support, expressed during a virtual meeting of the delegates on Sunday evening, mirrors support for Harris among the state’s federal representatives. Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, as well as Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, have also issued statements of endorsement for Harris.

Carlos Cardona, a Laconia resident who is running for state senate and a state delegates to the DNC, said though Sunday night’s vote was “symbolic,” it was an important show of unity.

“When voters voted, they voted for the ‘Biden-Harris’ ticket,” Cardona said, emphasizing the duty of delegates to bring the wishes of their state’s primary voters to the convention.

Cardona called the change at the top of the Democratic ticket “the most exciting thing to happen since 2008,” when Barack Obama won the party’s nomination. “I thank Joe Biden for doing the right thing. This was incredible and selfless, many politicians wouldn’t do such things.”

The party needs “a new generation of leaders,” Cardona said, and Harris, who is Black and Indian American, and would be the country’s first female president, represents that new wave of leadership.

“I’m thinking back to 2008. I’m really excited, I’m already in touch with the campaign, how can we lift Laconia and places in my district? It’s not just business as usual,” Cardona said, adding he thinks the re-energized campaign will bear fruit for Democratic candidates at the state and local levels. “This campaign is going to be incredible, it’s on fire in a good way. ... She is going to be able to rally young people, which is important not just for voting but for knocking on doors, going to events, rallying enthusiasm.”

Cardona said although he hasn’t always agreed with Biden, he feels a sense of respect and appreciation for the current president. “I know in my family that he will be remembered as a guy who did the right thing when it mattered most.”

The view from the opposite camp was not as enthusiastic. Gregg Hough, former state representative and current chair of the Belknap County Republican Committee, pointed to the lack of a Democratic primary process last year and the swapping of Biden for Harris as the convention approaches as indications that the party, and not the voters, is selecting the candidates.

“They say they’re for democracy and for the people,” Hough said. “Joe Biden was picked and chosen, and now without any input from their constituency they’re appointing Kamala Harris.”

Hough said the selection of Harris indicates the importance of “identity politics” within the Democratic Party. “Instead of somebody who as chosen by merit they’re choosing by skin color or gender,” Hough said, adding he doesn’t think the new candidate will fare any better against Donald Trump than Biden would have.

“It’s a shame that a lot of people do what they do and go vote that way because that’s what they’ve been trained to do, but [Democrats] offer little of value to the country,” Hough said. “Trump’s very much on the precipice of winning.”