Kamala Harris, 55, is considering backing her former rival Joe Biden in the Democratic presidential primaries, which could boost her chances of becoming vice president if Biden wins the nomination.
The California senator could potentially endorse Biden, 77, after the Senate impeachment trial, multiple Democratic officials told the New York Times. But Harris is also mindful that two of her female colleagues, Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, are still in the race.
Biden and Harris have stayed in contact since she ended her presidential bid in early December, including a lengthy discussion immediately after she dropped out.
When asked if he would consider Harris as a running mate, Biden said, “Of course I would.”
Harris confronted Biden in the first Democratic presidential debate in June, slamming him for working with past segregationist senators in the 1970s to oppose integration busing. The attack gave her a bump in the polls, but she struggled to maintain the momentum.
“Senator Harris remains focused on the ongoing impeachment trial of President Trump,” said Chris Harris, a spokesman for the senator. “No decisions have been made about whether she will endorse, which candidate, nor when an endorsement decision will be made.”
