U.S. Reacts After Biden Projected Winner Of Presidential Election

ACROSS AMERICA — Reaction on Saturday was swift and overwhelming after The Associated Press and other news organizations projected Democrat Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election, according to unofficial results.

In a statement released shortly after the announcement, Biden took to social media to thank the country and express his gratitude.

"America, I’m honored that you have chosen me to lead our great country," Biden tweeted. "The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a President for all Americans — whether you voted for me or not. I will keep the faith that you have placed in me."

RELATED: Joe Biden Projected Winner Over Donald Trump In Presidential Race

Biden will become the 46th U.S. president after unofficial election results in Pennsylvania, with 20 electoral votes, put him over the 270 electoral votes required to win the presidency.

Pennsylvania's vote tally flipped to favor Biden on Friday morning as numerous mail-in votes were counted in the historically Democratic-leaning Philadelphia area. Pennsylvania began counting mail-in ballots after those cast on Election Day were tallied. The Election Day vote favored Trump.

As new unofficial vote totals came in Saturday, news organizations diverged at how many electoral vote totals to show Biden had as of midday. The Associated Press showed Biden with 290 electoral votes, having called all but two of the remaining states for Biden — Georgia and North Carolina.

The New York Times put Biden's electoral vote total at midday at 279, holding back on calling Arizona for Biden. CNN showed Biden's total at 273, also holding back on calling Nevada for Biden.

Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris tweeted a statement in the minutes following the projection. Harris will be the first woman and person of color to serve as vice president.

"This election is about so much more than @JoeBiden or me," Harris tweeted. "It’s about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Let’s get started."

Harris also included a short video of a phone call made to Biden after the announcement.

Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, tweeted a simple message for the vice president-elect.

Democratic allies were quick to tweet their sentiments and well wishes, including Speaker Of The House Nancy Pelosi, who congratulated Biden and Harris on their victory "for the soul of our country."

"It’s a time to heal and a time to grow together," Pelosi tweeted.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said "the long dark night in America is over, and a new dawn is coming."

A handful of Republicans also took to Twitter to congratulate the president-elect, including Utah Sen. Mitt Romney and former Florida governor and presidential contender Jeb Bush.

"Congratulations to President-elect Biden," Bush tweeted. "I have prayed for our President most of my adult life. I will be praying for you and your success. Now is the time to heal deep wounds. Many are counting on you to lead the way."

Other Republicans, including GOP chair Ronna McDaniel, doubled down on calls to let investigations of fraud or irregularities play out.

"The media doesn’t decide who wins elections, voters do. In multiple states the margins are razor thin with counting ongoing, several of which are headed for recounts," McDaniel tweeted. "The Democrats spent years alleging a phony Russia collusion narrative in the name of election integrity. It is only right we allow this current process to occur. The American people deserve it."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy did not release public statements.

Meanwhile, reaction poured in from all corners of the world, including from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi:

"Congratulations @JoeBiden on your spectacular victory! As the VP, your contribution to strengthening Indo-US relations was critical and invaluable. I look forward to working closely together once again to take India-US relations to greater heights," Modi tweeted.

Other reaction from across social media included:

Sen. Bernie Sanders: "I want to congratulate all those who worked so hard to make this historic day possible. Now, through our continued grassroots organizing, let us create a government that works for ALL and not the few. Let us create a nation built on justice, not greed and bigotry."

Sen. Dianne Feinstein: "I couldn’t be more happy for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris – and more importantly for our country."

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo: "After the darkness, division and hate of the past four years, America has spoken and rejected more of the same."

Actor Julia Louis-Dreyfus: "'Madam Vice President' is no longer a fictional character."

The celebratory mood extended well beyond Twitter as Americans in cities across the country took to the streets to share their joy. While social distancing was mostly forgotten, nearly everyone gathering wore masks.

RELATED: U.S. Celebrates Ahead Of Biden's First Speech As President-Elect

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