Former Democratic presidential candidates and other VP contenders rallied to support Sen. Kamala Harris as Joe Biden's running mate

Lauren FriasAug 12, 2020, 08:53 IST

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris shake hands before the start of the second night of the second 2020 presidential Democratic candidates debate in Detroit, Michigan, July 31, 2019.Lucas Jackson/Reuters

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced his much-anticipated pick for his running mate: Sen. Kamala Harris of California.
Prominent political figures, including former President Barack Obama, former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, and a number of other women who appeared on Biden's VP shortlist, congratulated Harris on the selection and praised the choice.
Biden's choice of Harris as his vice president makes her the first Black woman and South Asian-American to appear on a major ticket.

Prominent political figures — from former Democratic presidential candidates to other potential VP contenders — threw their support behind Joe Biden's running mate pick: Sen. Kamala Harris.

On Tuesday, Biden announced his much-anticipated running mate choice after months of speculation. The historic selection makes Harris the first Black and South Asian-American woman to appear on a major ticket.

Other 2020 Democrats who ran for president congratulated their former fellow candidate on the nomination, as well as former President Barack Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts

Former Democratic presidential hopeful Senator Elizabeth Warren spoke at Exeter High School in Exeter, New Hampshire during a campaign stop town hall in November 11, 2019. Joseph Prezioso/Getty Images

Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota

Former Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn, spoke at the Blue NC celebration at the Hilton Charlotte University Place in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (Joshua Komer/The Charlotte Observer via AP) Associated Press

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

In this Feb. 4, 2020 file photo, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks with reporters at her office in Lansing, Mich. Whitmer on Friday, Feb. 28 urged residents to follow simple steps to help limit the spread of a new type of virus that has not been confirmed in Michigan but could be eventually. AP Photo/David Eggert

Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 04: Illinois nominee for Congress Tammy Duckworth speaks during day one of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Rep. Val Demings of Florida

Florida Democratic Rep. Val Demings questions Attorney General William Barr during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Rep. Karen Bass of California

Rep. Karen Bass of California addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC, on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012. AP /J. Scott Applewhite

Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice

Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice Win McNamee/Getty Images

Former President Barack Obama

President Barack Obama gestures at the Interior Department in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, prior to signing the "don't ask, don't tell" repeal legislation that would allow gays to serve openly in the military. AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton

Scott Olson/Getty Images

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California. Tom Brenner/Reuters

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Super Tuesday primary night election rally in Essex Junction, Vt., Tuesday, March 3, 2020. Matt Rourke/AP Photo

Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey

Former Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker AP Photo/John Locher

Former HUD Sec. Julián Castro, entrepreneur Andrew Yang, and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg — who all campaigned in the 2020 election — congratulated Harris on the nomination.

Reuters/Mike Segar

Former HUD Sec. Julián Castro, entrepreneur Andrew Yang, and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg — who all campaigned in the 2020 election — congratulated Harris on the nomination.

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Former Democratic presidential candidates and other VP contenders rallied to support Sen. Kamala Harris as Joe Biden's running mate

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts

Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois

Rep. Val Demings of Florida

Rep. Karen Bass of California

Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice

Former President Barack Obama

Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont

Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey

Former HUD Sec. Julián Castro, entrepreneur Andrew Yang, and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg — who all campaigned in the 2020 election — congratulated Harris on the nomination.