Stacey Abrams, the former Democratic nominee for governor in Georgia, on Tuesday endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden's White House bid.
"Vice President Biden is the leader America needs — a leader who will restore dignity, competence and compassion to the Oval Office while restoring America's moral leadership around the world," Abrams said in a statement distributed by the Biden campaign.
"His commitment to fighting climate change, leading an economic recovery for all, and protecting every eligible American's right to vote are among the many reasons why he must be the next President of the United States," she continued.
Abrams also tied her formal backing of Biden to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, remarking that "marginalized communities" have struggled under President Donald Trump's "failed leadership" and lamenting the disease's asymmetric toll on people of color.
"Joe Biden will take no one for granted," she said. "I look forward to continuing my strong support for his candidacy and doing all I can to make sure he is elected this November."
Abrams' statement Tuesday represents another high-profile endorsement of Biden from one of his prospective vice presidential picks.
California Sen. Kamala Harris, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — all top candidates to become Biden's running mate — have similarly thrown their support behind the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee in recent weeks.
But among the field of female Democratic politicians likely to take the No. 2 spot on the party's ticket, Abrams has most aggressively lobbied for the role, publicly promoting herself for the job and arguing in an interview last month she would make an "excellent" choice.
Biden pledged in March to tap a female running mate, and influential voices within the Democratic Party including House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) have urged him to select a woman of color.
Politico, May 12, 2020
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May 12, 2020
Voices4America Post Script. Lovely to have Stacey Abrams’ endorsement for #Biden2020. My opinion is #BidenAnyOneHeChooses2020