GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The race for arguably the most powerful post in the world flipped on its head with just one post to social media.
Following President Joe Biden's announcement on social media that he would exit the presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris has quickly racked up endorsements from a number of top Michigan democrats.
"I am supporting and endorsing her because President Biden supported her yesterday, and he, quite frankly, was the person that got 14 million votes in Democratic nominating elections throughout the 50 states, and she was part of that ticket," U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) told 13 ON YOUR SIDE. "And I've heard many things during the last three weeks, but one of the things I strongly heard was that people did not want to feel disenfranchised."
But without Biden at the top of the ticket, his delegates to the party's convention in Chicago next month are up for grabs.
Some Republicans have already begun honing in on Harris as a likely choice, though the Michigan GOP chair said he believes the message won't change.
"[Biden and Harris] are part and parcel, the same package," MIGOP Chair Pete Hoekstra said. "If anything, in some of the issues, especially regarding the automobile industry, she's further left than where Joe Biden was."
Many Democrats in the state have been swift to rally behind the vice president.
"No matter the process, I'm confident that Vice President Kamala Harris will be the nominee at the end of it," Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist said. "And so, we will navigate whatever we need to navigate."
Dingell echoed an optimistic vision she feels Harris brings.
"I think she will be a strong candidate," Dingell said. "I think she'll be a great president of the United States."
At the same time, Dingell, who was a close ally of Biden's during his race, acknowledged her personal choice in Harris may not necessarily be set just yet.
"I also think it's very important that no one thinks that this is being shoved down people's throat," Dingell said. "She has to go out. I'm lucky enough to know her, have known her for a while. A lot of people don't, and she's got to go out and work. This is a process that must be open and transparent and understood, and she has to go campaign to the delegates to win the nomination."
But as support continues to grow for Harris within the party, many are looking to whom Harris will choose to be her potential running mate.
One thing that does seem settled is that it likely won't be Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
"No, I'm not planning to go anywhere," Whitmer told reporters in Lansing Monday morning when asked if she was prepared to accept an offer for the vice presidency.
"I am not leaving Michigan," Whitmer continued. "I'm proud to be the governor of Michigan. I have been consistent. I know everyone is always suspicious and asking this question over and again. I know you're doing your job. I'm not going anywhere."
So, what should Harris be looking for to win Michigan?
"I trust and have complete confidence to the Vice President to make a decision," Gilchrist said. "Having gone through that process herself, just like I've gone through that process on the state level, it's important to make sure you're having conversations and building the trust and relationship with folks you need to do that. And I know that she'll have a rigorous process. Her and her team to land on someone. I'm confident with whoever she lands on."
For Dingell, she signaled a desire for someone with a focus on states like hers.
"Quite frankly, I want to see someone who cares about the heartland, who understands a battleground state, who's going to work hard to bring people together, who's going to care about our economy, fighting for working men and women," Dingell answered. "So, I think there are probably a number of candidates that she is going to be looking for, and I'm going to respect that process, but I do want to see someone who cares about the heartland of America."