Ex-contender Val Demings praises Biden’s VP choice
U.S. Rep. Val Demings, one of the candidates on Joe Biden’s shortlist of potential running mates, praised his ultimate choice of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris.
“For a little girl who grew up poor, Black and female in the South to be considered during this process has been an incredible honor,” Demings said in a statement Tuesday.
“I feel so blessed.
To see a Black woman nominated for the first time reaffirms my faith that in America, there is a place for every person to succeed no matter who they are or where they come from.”
Demings, D-Orlando, said the Biden/Harris Democratic ticket “promises to restore America’s faith that we can defeat COVID-19, save our crippled economy, restore honor and integrity to the White House, protect the rights, liberty, and safety of the American people, and expand access to health care and opportunity for all.”
She added she was “excited to do everything in my power to ensure that on January 20th, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be sworn in as President and
Vice President of the United States.”
Demings’ stature increased in the party following her appointment as one of the House managers at President Trump’s impeachment trial in January. Her background as a police chief in Orlando was also mentioned as a potential plus in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in May.
“I can’t think of any other presidential nominee who had so many incredible candidates to choose as their running mate,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “Having known and worked with Val Demings, I believed she would have been an ideal running mate and future vice president.”
Orange Mayor Jerry Demings, Val Demings’ husband, said, “It was an honor for my wife to be considered by Vice President Biden as his running mate. We will continue to support his candidacy but are also thankful for the current opportunities we have to serve our community.”