Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be our next president and vice-president, according to calls made by multiple news outlets Saturday morning. The calls were made after it became clear that Biden had a strong enough lead in Pennsylvania that Donald Trump couldn't make up the vote gap, pushing the former vice president over the threshold of 270 electoral college votes.
Harris will be the first woman, first Black person, first Indian American and first Asian American to serve as vice president.
The numbers tell us a clear and convincing story: We're going to win this race.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 7, 2020
We did it, @JoeBiden. pic.twitter.com/oCgeylsjB4
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) November 7, 2020
On Twitter, Portlanders reported hearing fireworks, car horns, and cheers of excitement outside in their neighborhoods.
Some of Oregon's elected leaders also celebrated the news:
It's a special moment in history.
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) November 7, 2020
A great day for America. For our democracy.
Congratulations President-elect Biden, and to our first female Vice President-elect Harris!
Now it's time to beat this pandemic. Fight for racial justice. Overcome our differences & work together.
Democracy is worth waiting for. Today we celebrate. Tomorrow we begin our work to build back better. For everyone.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) November 7, 2020
Today, we learned our nation made a stand for what we are for—honesty, decency, respect and a commitment to the common good. We elected Joe Biden and rejected the Trump administration’s corrupt, hateful and harmful policies that inflamed divisiveness in our country for 4 years.
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) November 7, 2020
American voters have rendered their judgment: Donald Trump, you’re fired!
They voted for decency & progress. They voted to control the virus, not give up. They voted for a president that will deliver on housing, health care, climate chaos & more.
— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) November 7, 2020
It’s a beautiful day in the United States of America pic.twitter.com/K8hLfwB14M
— Amanda Fritz (@AmandaFritzRN) November 7, 2020
And a lot of Portlanders—including Urban League of Portland CEO Nkenge Harmon Johnson—are particularly excited about Harris' history-making victory:
Good morning, especially to 47 and everyone who voted for her! Congrats, to Uncle Joe too! pic.twitter.com/3pR2Yw7SyZ
— Nkenge (@TrueNkenge) November 7, 2020
And here's how Erik Ward, director of anti-racist group the Wester States Center, reacted:
It’s been a long four years. I know you are feeling it. It’s okay. Jump up and down, hug, dance in the living, turn up that favorite song, look yourself in the mirror and see that love on your face. pic.twitter.com/PYCJA0ZvHr
— Eric K. Ward (@BulldogShadow) November 7, 2020
With this sweet victory comes an even sweeter defeat—that of Donald Trump and Mike Pence. Unsurprisingly, Trump is refusing to concede. His campaign released a ridiculous statement with a torrent of lies and false information after news broke about Biden's victory:
President Trump refuses to concede, accuses President-elect Joe Biden of “rushing to falsely pose as the winner.” pic.twitter.com/rn7aE8wGkm
— Scott Bixby (@scottbix) November 7, 2020
But while rumors are swirling about Trump needing to be dragged out of the White House on Inauguration Day, Biden is on track to collect more than 300 electoral college votes, and leads in the popular vote by more than 4 million votes.
In other words: Bye, bitch!
