Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) is reportedly the front-runner in the Vice Presidential sweepstakes to be Joe Biden’s running mate, according to the New York Times.
The Times reports she is the only Black woman mentioned with the experience expected of Vice Presidents. Biden has promised to nominate a woman for the position and there has been increasing pressure to choose a Black woman due to the recent George Floyd protests.
The Atlantic Journal Constitution reports among the Black women being considered are former Georgia State Rep. Stacy Abrams, former National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottom and U.S. Rep. Val Demings.
Harris could help get the Black vote out, but her past as a prosecutor could rile some Democratic voters, particularly the progressives who have supported Bernie Sanders.
Harris recently came out in support of defunding police departments which could give her some credibility with progressives. Interestingly, Biden does not support the defunding of police which would shift the money to more social services.
Harris’ mother is Indian American and her father is Jamaican. She was one of three Asian Americans to run for president in 2020, but the first to drop out after getting off to a strong start. The others were Andrew Yang and Tulsi Gabbard.
Those on Biden’s committee helping him select a running mate are former U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut; U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware; Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; and Cynthia C. Hogan, an attorney and political adviser to Biden.
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