Rep. Ilhan Omar recommended that Joe Biden select a nonwhite running mate to help boost enthusiasm for his candidacy.
The Minnesota Democrat, who endorsed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during the Democratic presidential primary, told NPR that she would be voting for the Democratic nominee for president, which will likely be Biden as all other candidates have dropped out of the race. She said that Biden, who has already vowed to select a female vice president, could boost enthusiasm for his campaign by selecting a nonwhite running mate.
“I think it would be really helpful for our party to continue to have diversity as not something we talk about, but something we celebrate and push forward,” Omar said, later adding, “To have somebody who is really connected to the people who have been the backbone of the Democratic Party will help create, I think, the enthusiasm that Biden lacks right now with the majority of the base.”
Omar noted that she had been in talks with Biden’s campaign team. She said she will vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is in 2020 but has yet to issue a formal endorsement of the former vice president. Biden will not be the official candidate until after the Democratic National Convention, which is scheduled for August.
While Biden has promised to add a woman to the ticket, it is not clear that he is looking for a running mate from a racial minority. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar is reported to be among those being vetted for the position, which would show he is considering running mates from all backgrounds.
