By J. Jala, Marisol Bo-oc in Philippines, Josie Tadlip- Smith in Los Angeles, California | 01:16 PM November 08, 2020
US former Vice President Joe Biden is now president-elect, and Sen. Kamala D. Harris of California is set to become the highest-ranking woman in the nation’s 244-year existence.
In a victory speech on Saturday night, Biden called it “a time to heal in America” and said, “I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but unify, who doesn’t see red states and blue states, only sees the United States.”
Americans flooded the streets in cities like New York and Washington to celebrate the win, with large crowds gathering in Times Square and near the White House to loudly mark Trump’s defeat.
Trump, who was on his golf course in Virginia when the race was called, immediately refused to acknowledge the victory and vowed to continue challenging the validity of legally cast ballots in several states.
The Trump campaign has launched a flurry of lawsuits in an attempt to delay the counting of votes, but this litigation has thus far been unsuccessful.
“I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but unify, who doesn’t see red states and blue states, only sees the United States.”-President-elect Joe Biden
Biden’s victory is a historic milestone, as his running mate, Harris, will be the first woman and first Black and Asian-American person to serve as vice president.
Senator Lisa Murkowski on Saturday become the second Republican senator to congratulate Joe Biden on his projected victory.
Mitt Romney congratulated Biden earlier in the day.
“Even as ballots are counted in Alaska and legal challenges continue in the Lower 48, former Vice President Joe Biden is now the projected winner of this close and hard-fought presidential race,” Murkowski said in a statement.
“Tonight, he declared victory and pledged to be a president who represents all Americans,” she added.
While the race has been called in Biden’s favor, many Republican elected officials have remained silent or released neutral statements as
Trump has vowed to fight the results of the election in court.