"I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked @KamalaHarris— a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate," Biden tweeted Tuesday.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 11, 2020
"I need someone working alongside me who is smart, tough, and ready to lead. Kamala is that person. I need someone who understands the pain that so many people in our nation are suffering. Whether they've lost their job, their business, a loved one to this virus," Biden said about his choice, Axios reported.
— Lily Adams (@adamslily) August 11, 2020
"I need someone who understands that we are in a battle for the soul of this nation. And that if we’re going to get through these crises - we need to come together and unite for a better America. Kamala gets that," Biden added.
"I first met Kamala through my son Beau. They were both Attorneys General at the same time. He had enormous respect for her and her work. I thought a lot about that as I made this decision. There is no one’s opinion I valued more than Beau’s and I’m proud to have Kamala standing with me on this campaign," Biden continued.
“I’ve decided that Kamala Harris is the best person to help me take this fight to Donald Trump and Mike Pence and then to lead this nation starting in January 2021," Biden also said in an email statement, according to Political Wire.
Harris said via Twitter Tuesday that she is "honored" to join Biden as the Democratic party's nominee for vice president.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 11, 2020
Harris' husband Douglas Emhoff also showed his support for Biden's decision on Tuesday with enthusiastic tweets.
— Douglas Emhoff (@douglasemhoff) August 11, 2020
— Douglas Emhoff (@douglasemhoff) August 11, 2020
US President Donald Trump released a statement Tuesday claiming that Harris getting the vice-presidential nod is "proof that Joe Biden is an empty shell being filled with the extreme agenda of the radicals on the left."
— Chris Megerian (@ChrisMegerian) August 11, 2020
Trump also stated that Harris has "gleefully embraced the left's radical manifesto." The US president also tweeted out a video which refers to Harris as a "phony" and a member of the "radical left."
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 11, 2020
Biden committed to choosing a Black, female running mate as early as March, following nationwide protests against anti-Black racism.
“I commit that I will, in fact, appoint a woman to be vice president,” Biden said at the time, the New York Times reported. “There are a number of women qualified to be president tomorrow.”
Harris dropped out of the 2020 presidential race in December after attempting to become the first Black woman to win a major party's presidential nomination. Harris, the daughter of immigrants, has been very vocal on racial justice issues, as well as matters like corruption, women's rights and election interference.
