Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a powerful concession speech Wednesday afternoon as she pledged to honor the peaceful transition of power — even as she vowed never to concede the "fight that fueled this campaign."
Speaking in Washington, D.C., and dressed in all black, Harris delivered a 12-minute speech to a tearful audience that erupted into chants of "Ka-ma-la!"
As supporters shouted, "We love you!" she replied, "And I love you back." Harris said her heart was "full" despite the election results.
"Hear me when I say, the light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and we keep fighting," she said.
After thanking her husband Doug Emhoff, President Joe Biden and her team, Harris declared she was proud of the race her campaign ran, highlighting that it was about building community and coalitions "united by love of country with enthusiasm and joy in our fight for America’s future."
"We did it with the knowledge that we have so much more in common than what separates us," said Harris.
She brought some levity to the speech as well, noting “I get it” referring to supporters feeling a dark range of emotions. Even so, she said she'll accept the results of the election.
"A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election we accept the results," she said, a notable break from how now-President-elect Donald Trump handled his election loss in 2020.
Harris said doing so distinguishes a democracy from a monarchy or tyranny.
"Anyone who seeks the public’s trust must honor it," she emphasized.
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She later added: "While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign."
That fight, she said, is for freedom, opportunity, fairness and the dignity of all people.
"The ideals that reflect America at our best," she said, adding: "That is a fight I will never give up."
As she closed her speech, Harris told supporters to ignore their doubters.
"Don't you ever listen if someone tells you something is impossible since it has never been done before," she said. "You have the capacity to do extraordinary good in the world."
She offered a gentle word of encouragement, too.
"Do not despair. This is not the time to throw up our hands. It's the time to roll up our sleeves," she said. "Organize and mobilize for the sake of freedom and justice."
She shared an adage that only when it's dark enough can you see stars.
"If it is, let us fill the sky with the brilliant, brilliant billion of stars. The light of optimism, of faith, of truth, and service," she said.
