Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her concession speech Wednesday afternoon at Howard University in Washington, D.C., after she was defeated by Donald Trump in the presidential election.
"My heart is full today," Harris said at the top of her speech to her supporters.
"The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for," she added. "But hear me when I say, the light of America's promise will always burn bright, as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting."
Harris's speech came more than 12 hours after the election was called for Trump early Wednesday morning. According to The Daily Wire, Trump currently stands 301 electoral votes while Harris has 226, with outstanding results in Arizona.
Although Harris said she conceded the election, the vice president vowed that she does "not concede the fight that fuels this campaign."
"I am so proud of the race we ran and the way we ran it," she said. "Over the 107 days of this campaign, we have been intentional about building community and building coalitions, bringing people together from every walk of life and background — united by love of country."
Harris also shared that she had spoken with Trump over the phone earlier and had congratulated him on his victory.
"I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition," she continued. "And that we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power."
Moving forward, Harris contended that she will continue to fight on behalf of Americans.
"I will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions, and aspirations, where the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own body, and not have their government telling them what to do."
"We will never give up the fight to protect our schools and our streets from gun violence," she added. "And America, we will never give up the fight for our democracy, for the rule of law, for equal justice, and for the sacred idea that every one of us, no matter who we are or where we start out, has certain fundamental rights and freedoms that must be respected and upheld."
Harris also asserted that Democrats will "continue to wage this fight in the voting booth, in the courts, and in the public square."
Towards the conclusion of her speech, Harris shared an adage that "only when it is dark enough can you see the stars."
"I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case," she said. "America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant billion stars. The light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service."
Not long after her concession speech, President Joe Biden broke his silence following her election loss and said she was the "best decision I made."
"What America saw today was the Kamala Harris I know and deeply admire. She's been a tremendous partner and public servant full of integrity, courage, and character," Biden said on X Wednesday evening.
"Under extraordinary circumstances, she stepped up and led a historic campaign that embodied what's possible when guided by a strong moral compass and a clear vision for a nation that is more free, more just, and full of more opportunities for all Americans," he continued.
What America saw today was the Kamala Harris I know and deeply admire.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 6, 2024
She’s been a tremendous partner and public servant full of integrity, courage, and character.
Under extraordinary circumstances, she stepped up and led a historic campaign that embodied what’s possible when…
"As I've said before, selecting Kamala was the very first decision I made when I became the nominee for president in 2020. It was the best decision I made," the president added.
"Her story represents the best of America's story. And as she made clear today, I have no doubt that she'll continue writing that story. She will continue the fight with purpose, determination, and joy. She will continue to be a champion for all Americans. Above all, she will continue to be a leader our children will look up to for generations to come as she puts her stamp on America's future."
WATCH: Kamala Harris' Concession Speech after Loss to Trump | Full Speech
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Fox News
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.