Omar Says She Thinks Biden Must Pick a Person of Color to Be His Running Mate

Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) is searching for someone to be his running mate,

He has vowed to pick a female as his running mate, and many have suggested that it would be helpful if he chose a woman of color.

During an interview with NPR, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) was asked if she believes Biden must choose a woman of color. She responded, “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.”

When pressed on whether that means that she thinks Biden needs to choose a woman of color, Omar said, “That is a yes. 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 is not alone in her views, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) previously said, “To have our first female vice president, and to have that be a woman of color is a significant milestone.”

Additionally, former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams was asked if it would be a “slap in the face” to black, female voters if Biden did not choose a woman of color. 

She responded, “I would share your concern about not picking a woman of color. Because women of color — particularly black women — are the strongest part of the Democratic Party … We need a ticket that reflects the diversity of America.”

However, Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) said he does not think it is a “must” for Biden to pick a minority candidate, as IJR reported.

While Omar, who supported Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the primary has not endorsed Biden, she vowed to vote for the Democratic nominee.