Washington | Powerful leaders of the Democratic establishment quickly embraced Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday (Monday AEST) after President Joe Biden’s exit from the race, hoping that a seamless succession could end a month of damaging chaos and transform a contest widely believed to be tipping toward Republicans.

By Sunday evening, Ms Harris appeared to have a glide path to the nomination. No other top Democrats announced plans to challenge her, although some stopped short of an endorsement, including the party’s top congressional leaders and former president Barack Obama.