Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a strong case for Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign during a California fundraiser on Sunday, which

raised over $12 million. The event marked the conclusion of a swing state tour by Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Pelosi appeared with Harris in San Francisco, where she praised the Vice President’s deep ties to the state, saying, "This is a good day when we welcome Kamala Harris back home to California." Pelosi highlighted Harris's roots as a former U.S. senator, attorney general, and district attorney in California, noting how she makes the state proud.

"She brings us so much joy. She gives us so much hope," Pelosi added at the event, held in a hotel ballroom.

Harris and Walz have just wrapped up a tour across key political swing states, drawing large crowds and building momentum for their campaign. Pelosi, a veteran lawmaker and influential figure in Washington, is credited with helping to guide President Joe Biden out of the presidential race following concerns about his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump.

Biden, 81, stepped aside last month after a lackluster debate performance against Trump raised doubts within the Democratic Party about his viability as a candidate for a second term. Pelosi's comments in a television interview, where she suggested Biden had not yet decided on his candidacy, were seen as paving the way for Democrats to encourage him to withdraw.

While Pelosi has commended Biden’s accomplishments, she connected Harris directly to the successes of his administration. "She knows the issues. She knows the strategy. She has gotten an enormous amount done working with Joe Biden," Pelosi said.

Harris acknowledged the growing enthusiasm around her campaign but warned against complacency. "We can take nothing for granted in this critical moment," she cautioned, after expressing gratitude to Pelosi for her support. "The energy is undeniable," Harris noted, adding that the crowds have been large.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, who was once considered a potential successor to Biden, also attended the fundraiser.

In her remarks, Harris emphasized the stakes of the upcoming election, particularly in regard to women's rights. She warned that if Trump were re-elected, he would likely sign a national abortion ban into law, threatening the rights of women even in states like California. Trump, on the other hand, has suggested that abortion laws should be determined by individual states, distancing himself from a national ban. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.