Kamala Harris secures delegate votes needed to become Democratic nominee

Kamala Harris on Friday secured the delegate votes needed to clinch the Democratic US presidential nomination and become the first woman of color at the top of a major party ticket, Report informs via Reuters.

Harris, the US vice president, became the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination after President Joe Biden bowed to pressure from within the party and dropped out of the race last month. Harris quickly won the support of party heavyweights and was the only candidate to qualify for the Democratic presidential ballot, which ensured the outcome of the delegate voting was never in doubt.

Party delegates voted virtually this week. Harris, who joined the live stream event where the announcement was made, said she would officially accept the nomination next week after the virtual voting period had closed.

"But already I'm happy to know that we have enough delegates to secure the nomination," said Harris, the first Black and Asian person to become US vice president.

"And later this month, we will gather in Chicago united as one party where we're going to have an opportunity to celebrate this historic moment together."