In a letter and video to supporters, Harris shares that she is dropping out of the presidential race. She emphasized the campaign’s fundraising challenges as prominent in her decision. In the video she says, “I’m not a billionaire. I can’t fund my own campaign. And as the campaign has gone on, it’s become harder and harder to raise the money we need to compete.” Harris adds, “I cannot tell my supporters I have a path forward if I don’t believe I do.” Still, she promises, “I am still very much in this fight and I will keep fighting every day for what this campaign has been about: justice for the people, all the people.” She refers to issues that the campaign has made prominent in the Democratic contest, like addressing inadequate teacher pay, stopping gun violence, combating state abortion laws, and demanding that the Democratic Party take no group of voters for granted. She adds about her campaign’s symbolic impact: “I believe our campaign showed every child in America – regardless of their color or their gender – that there are no limits to who can lead and hold positions of power in our country.” Journalist Jamil Smith’s reflection on Harris’s departure for Rolling Stone suggests a similar impact: “I would wager that the image of her, the third Black woman to run for president as a member of a major party, will not be forgotten anytime soon. She didn’t shatter that proverbial ceiling, but it is more fragile today.” Harris’ early departure led to speculation that she was positioning herself as an especially viable contender to be the Democratic nominee’s running mate, a role she eventually won.