Mahoning Valley Democratic officials say the decision to quickly coalesce around Kamala Harris as its presidential nominee has brought new energy to the party.

“I’m really excited for Kamala Harris as our candidate,” said Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman Chris Anderson. “What the campaign has done in two days is incredible — the money and the campaign infrastructure. She’s been on the campaign trail so she was able to make the transition from vice president to presidential candidate quickly. She’s handling everything with grace.”

When President Joe Biden withdrew Sunday from seeking reelection, he endorsed Harris and others followed.

The Ohio delegation to the Democratic National Convention met Monday night and all who attended the virtual meeting voted to pledge their votes for Harris.

“Everything moved so fast because we strongly support her,” said Kathy DiCristofaro, the only DNC delegate from the Mahoning Valley and the vice chairwoman of the Trumbull County Democratic Party. “I’m absolutely confident she can win. That’s why I voted in support of her.”

Trumbull County Democratic Chairman Mark Alberini said, “There was overwhelming support for Kamala Harris and a collective vote was taken by all (Ohio) delegates to commit their support for her candidacy.”

Ohio has 144 delegates to the DNC, including 127 pledged delegates who will vote on the first ballot at the convention, which starts Aug. 19. There also will be a virtual roll call before the convention — somewhere between Aug. 1 and 7 — with the exact date expected as early as today.

“Our delegation is proud to overwhelmingly endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chairwoman Elizabeth Walters. “Vice President Harris is a proven public servant who will be a strong fighter for Ohio’s workers and we’re ready to get to work to make sure that she and the rest of our Democratic ticket wins in November.”

Less than two days after Biden’s withdrawal, Harris had the commitment of more than enough delegates to be the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee against Republican Donald Trump.

In the first day-plus after Biden withdrew and Harris chose to run, her campaign, the Democratic National Committee and joint fundraising committees raised more than $100 million from 1.1 million different donors with 62% contributing for the first time.

“I am proud to have secured the broad support needed to become our party’s nominee,” Harris said.

She added: “I look forward to formally accepting the nomination soon. I am grateful to President Biden and everyone in the Democratic Party who has already put their faith in me and I look forward to taking our case directly to the American people.”

With pressure growing from his fellow Democrats to not seek reelection after a disastrous performance at the June 27 debate with Trump, Biden resisted until finally relenting Sunday and announcing he would not seek another term. Biden’s age, 81, and his mental acuity became huge issues, particularly after the debate in which he struggled several times to make sense.

The Trump campaign said Biden “was fired by Donald Trump. He has now been turned out to pasture yet the Biden record of weakness and failure still stands. Just as Donald Trump fired Joe Biden, he will demonstrate to the world he can fire dangerously liberal Kamala as well. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to defeat not just one Democrat nominee for president, but two — in the same year!”

Harris must now choose a vice presidential running mate.

Among the top candidates are U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

“I’m excited to see who she’ll pick as vice president,” Anderson said. “It’s an important decision and we’ll support whoever she picks.”

Anderson said his preferences are Kelly, Shapiro or Beshear.

DiCristofaro said she’d like to see a governor as Harris’ vice presidential running mate.

“They’re going through the vetting process now,” she said. “We’re waiting to see who it is.”

Alberini said: “We know all who are being considered and vetted are highly qualified and we know she will pick the best person to work beside her on behalf of the American people.”

Have an interesting story? Contact David Skolnick by email at dskolnick@vindy.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @dskolnick.