Biden steps down: DNC faces uncertain path ahead

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — All eyes will be on the Democratic National Convention in August, where the leading candidate who won many primaries won't even be on the ticket.

“Did you want him to drop out of the race?” 10News reporter Ava Kershner asked.

“I want to make sure that we as Democrats win,” said Nicole Crosby, a delegate pledged to Harris.

The DNC is less than a month away and President Joe Biden just dropped out of the race after calls for a new Democratic candidate grew louder and louder following his debate against Donald Trump at the end of June.

As for the transition of nominations, it’s not as simple as Biden endorsing Harris. The Chair of the DNC said there is no automatic coronation for a replacement.

It’s still up to the delegates, even if they had already signed up for the Biden-Harris ticket.

“So now that President Biden has declined the nomination, they become uncommitted. But he has to release them to become uncommitted, and then they all have their own vote to determine what happens,” said Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, a member of the DNC Committee.

RELATED: San Diego County leaders respond to Biden's decision

Many are speculating about others jumping in the race for president, like U.S. Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin.

“I did hear that Senator Joe Manchin, after leaving the Democratic party, is thinking about re-registering as a Democrat so he can run for the nomination. And my thought on that is 'Good luck with that,'” said Ryan Trabuco, a first time delegate for the DNC.

Harris is already working swiftly to get support from delegates, less than 24 hours after Biden’s decision to not seek re-election.

“I know that we've been contacted by our state leadership here in California. They've been doing a whip to make sure all of us are committed to Kamala Harris as well,” said Trabuco.

The ABC 10News morning team spoke to Scripps News deputy political director Joe St. George about all the implications of Biden's decision to bow out of the race. Questions he answered included what the process looks like for the delegates from here, if Kamala Harris is a sure thing on the ticket and who some potential VP choices would be.

Watch the video in the player at the top of the page to see the interview.

Congressional representatives for the San Diego area reacted to Sunday's major news.

Congressman Mike Levin also released a statement supporting Biden's decision to drop out and endorsing Harris:

“President Biden’s decision is incredibly patriotic and the right thing to do. He put country first. I want to thank President Biden for his decades of public service to our country and his historic presidency. He has led our country with unwavering courage, conviction and strength. Our nation, and the entire free world, is better off because of his leadership.

“Now, we must come together to prevail against the incalculable threat Donald Trump poses to the American institutions of freedom and democracy. Trump seeks to overthrow the values and principles that have guided us towards justice and prosperity for nearly two and a half centuries. We cannot let him do that.

“I’m proud to follow President Biden’s lead in endorsing Kamala Harris to be our Democratic Presidential nominee. Vice President Harris is the right person to lead our nation forward and defeat Donald Trump and his extremist policies.

“It is time to move forward with Kamala Harris as our new leader. Together.”

Rep. Scott Peters says Biden made a selfless decision, putting the country first.

"Joe Biden is a selfless, patriotic man with a servant's heart who history will remember for his tremendous accomplishments and for making this heroic decision to put country over self. I know how difficult this decision must have been for President Biden and his family, but I feel strongly that it will help our party defeat Donald Trump. I have full confidence in his ability to continue leading our country as he has done dutifully for the past three and a half years. We all owe President Biden immense gratitude."

Rep. Sara Jacobs expressed her support for Harris on X.