Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, one of the most respected voices in the modern Democratic Party, formally inaugurated He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday. They are expected to be their party's White House nominee in the fall.

In a statement and video, the Obamas cited Harris' record as a prosecutor, California attorney general, U.S. senator and vice president, and expressed their support for her as the best candidate to succeed President Biden, who has announced he will not seek re-election.

“Kamala has more than just a resume. She has the vision, character and strength we need at this critical time. We have no doubt that Kamala Harris has what it takes to win this election and serve the American people,” the Obamas said in a statement. “At a time when the stakes have never been higher, she gives us all hope.”

After Biden announced he would not seek reelection, Obama was initially cautious, thinking it was important to chart a course for Democratic delegates to select a new candidate, but he also kept in regular contact with Harris after more than two decades of acquaintanceship, according to sources familiar with their conversations.

The person said the former president was impressed with Harris' performance just days after Biden decided not to seek reelection.

The Obamas' endorsement of Harris is not surprising given their longstanding relationship with her, which dates back to before she and Obama rose to fame, and given Harris' success in solidifying Democratic support this week.

Ms. Harris and Mr. Obama met in 2004, when Mr. Obama was a senator from Illinois and Ms. Harris was the district attorney for San Francisco. Although Hillary Clinton was the favorite to win the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, Ms. Harris attended his presidential campaign launch in Springfield, Ill., in 2007 and trekked through the snow to campaign for Clinton in Iowa before her surprise victory in the Iowa caucuses in January 2008.

A few months later, Harris was tapped by the Obama campaign to speak on his behalf at the California Democratic convention, after the former president spoke on behalf of his wife, then-Senator Hillary Clinton, who was the Democratic presidential nominee.

“Can you say, 'Gulp?'” she said at a rally in San Jose.

Harris argued that Obama could unite the nation and likened her appearance before the delegates to his candidacy.

“I think it was about the audacity to do the unthinkable,” she said, as her supporters chanted “Obama, Obama.”

(Clinton ultimately beat Obama in state primaries but went on to win the nomination and the White House.)

Even after being elected California Attorney General, Harris maintained a close relationship with the then-president and was known in political circles as the “female Obama.”

Their relationship made controversial headlines after the president described Harris as “intelligent,” “dedicated” and “tough” at a fundraiser in 2013, adding that he was “by far the most handsome attorney general.”

He immediately called her to apologize and said he didn't mean to belittle her achievements.

Obama stayed quiet while Harris, Biden and other Democratic candidates competed in a heated primary race in 2020. He endorsed the former vice president in April, a day after Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed Biden.

But Obama and Harris have many aides in common: Obama's former Attorney General Eric Holder is reportedly helping Harris select a running mate, and Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, Obama's deputy campaign manager in 2012, is Harris' campaign manager.

In a statement of support, the Obamas said they had their “full support” for Harris and vowed to do everything in their power to see her elected to the White House.

“We look forward to watching her unite our party and our country behind a vision of a brighter, fairer and more prosperous future,” they said. “We will do everything in our power to elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States, and we hope you will join us.”

In a roughly minute-long video recorded Wednesday of the Obamas calling Harris to express their support, Harris said their endorsement meant a lot to her and that she looked forward to campaigning with them.

“But most of all, I want to say that the words that you've spoken and the friendship that you've shown over the years has meant more than I can put into words,” Harris said, after Michelle Obama called her “my darling Kamala” and said the race would be historic. “So thank you both! It means so much. And we're going to have fun on this race, okay?”