After much anticipation, Joe Biden announced Kamala Harris as his running mate for vice president on Tuesday (Aug. 11), and the former Senator is “honored” by the opportunity.
“Joe Biden can unify the American people because he’s spent his life fighting for us. And as president, he’ll build an America that lives up to our ideals,” tweeted Harris. “I’m honored to join him as our party’s nominee for Vice President, and do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief.”
.@JoeBiden can unify the American people because he’s spent his life fighting for us. And as president, he’ll build an America that lives up to our ideals.
I’m honored to join him as our party’s nominee for Vice President, and do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 11, 2020
Biden revealed Harris as his running mate on Twitter calling the former prosecutor a “fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants.” Harris, who is biracial, is the first Black and South Asian woman nominee from a major party.
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.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 11, 2020
The political rivals-turned-running mates previously faced off during Democratic debates last year. Harris suspended her bid for president in December 2019 and went on to endorse Biden’s presidential campaign.
In response to the VP news, former President Barack Obama tweeted in part that he’s known Harris for a years, and that she’s “more than prepared for the job” of VP.
“This is a good day for our country. Now let’s go win this thing,” Obama added of the upcoming November election.
I’ve known Senator @KamalaHarris for a long time. She is more than prepared for the job. She’s spent her career defending our Constitution and fighting for folks who need a fair shake. This is a good day for our country. Now let’s go win this thing. pic.twitter.com/duJhFhWp6g
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 11, 2020
Read more reactions to the VP announcement below.
Thrilled to support @KamalaHarris as next VP. I was honored to speak with @JoeBiden at length over the weekend and again today. His focus on reaching out to every corner of our country speaks to how he will lead us. I look forward to doing all I can for Team #BidenHarris!
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) August 11, 2020
Cookie and I are very happy with Presidential candidate Joe Biden’s decision to select Senator @KamalaHarris as his running mate. We have happily supported Kamala throughout her career over the years!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 11, 2020
History made. @KamalaHarris 👏🏾
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) August 11, 2020
👏🏾🙌🏾👏🏾🙌🏾✊🏾Congrats and well deserved Sen. Kamala Harris!! Love to see and support it! Appreciate you JB https://t.co/OErXQ5TqQL
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 11, 2020
Very happy for our friend and Senator and future Vice-President, @KamalaHarris, and very much looking forward to voting for the Biden-Harris ticket to begin the difficult work of recovering from this nightmare presidency and building an even better future.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 11, 2020
The bells are tolling! So proud and so excited at Kamala Harris’s naming by our future president, Joe Biden!
She will undoubtedly chew and spit out any male OR female who takes her on.
Well done, VP Biden!!
Love and kisses,
Rita Moreno, newly joyous Puerto Rican 🌹💐❤️☝🏽👍🏾— Rita Moreno (@TheRitaMoreno) August 11, 2020
America is crying out for leadership, and what has Donald Trump done? Ignored science, fanned the flames of racism, and employed tactics from the playbook of fascists and dictators. Electing @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris isn’t just an electoral imperative—it’s a moral obligation.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) August 11, 2020
Congratulations to @KamalaHarris, who will make history as our next Vice President. She understands what it takes to stand up for working people, fight for health care for all, and take down the most corrupt administration in history. Let’s get to work and win.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 11, 2020