Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, 77, wins the presidency of the United States of American, defeating President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris will be the United States first black vice president, a daughter of Jamaica’s soil and the first woman to hold that office.
Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral votes put Biden over the 270 electoral votes needed to deny Trump of a second term after a bitter election campaign for the White House. The election quickly turned dramatic where Trump filed several lawsuits in battleground states.
“I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris,” President Elect Biden said in a statement. “In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America.” He added, “With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation.
In a statement Saturday, Trump has yet to concede and he vows to continue to fight for the presidency. He said that, “The simple fact is this election is far from over. Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor.”
“Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated,” Trump stated.
The Trump campaign has made accusations of fraud in voting and the ballots in several states which have lead to a number of legal challenges in key battleground states Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and Nevada.
Georgia’s secretary of state signaled on Friday a recount given the small margin of votes favoring Biden.
Meanwhile, the Caribbean community sings high praise for U.S. Vice President elect Kamala Harris who is of Jamaican heritage. Harris made history becoming the first black woman to become Vice President of the United States, an achievement that comes as the nation faces ongoing racial challenges.
The Jamaica People’s National Party presidential candidate Lisa Hanna who is in an internal election today for the PNP’s party-boss post releases congratulations stating that, “With @joebiden’s record-breaking success, the United States has also elected not only its first-ever female Vice President but first ever Black Vice President. Of course, millions of Jamaicans at home and abroad celebrate with added pride as VP-elect @kamalaharris is a daughter of our soil. Her success is an inspiration for women everywhere and a reminder that all glass ceilings must and will fall.”
Only two candidates, Mark Golding and Lisa Hanna are vying to replace PNP leader Dr. Peter Phillips, who will be demitting office after his defeat in the September 3 general elections in Jamaica, which left the PNP with only 15 seats in parliament.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados in a press release stated that, “America has spoken and the world is inspired. The people and Government of Barbados warmly congratulate President-Elect Joe Biden and his Vice President Elect Kamala Harris, the first woman and person of colour to hold that position.”
Mottley added, “I am sure that we in the Caribbean will look forward with optimism to working with the new administration to confront a number of global Issues from the awful pandemic to the climate crisis to the pursuit of racial justice.
There is much work for the world to do if we are to lift up our people across the globe to fight these issues that know no boundaries but require character and leadership to defeat them.”
Vice President Harris posted, “This election is about so much more than Joe Biden or me. It’s about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Let’s get started.“
She added in a video release, “We did it. We did it, Joe.” You’re going to be the next President of the United States.”
While counting continues in some states. Biden has made history already receiving more than 74 million votes, which is more than any presidential candidate before him.
Biden will become the 46th President of the United States of America.
