As vice president-elect Kamala Harris prepares to take her new role in the White House, concern is growing about the U.S. Senate seat she leaves behind as she’s currently the only Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate.
In an effort to address the concern, civil rights leaders are urging California Gov. Gavin Newsom to fill the vacancy with another Black woman.
According to KTLA5, leaders wrote a letter to Newsom, saying it would be a “step backward” if the governor doesn’t pick a Black woman to replace Harris. The various groups who signed the letter included the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California, Al Sharpton’s West Coast National Action Network and the NAACP’s Los Angeles chapter.
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“We would find any appointment other than Karen Bass or Barbara Lee to carry out the remainder of Vice President- Elect Harris’ term as a step backwards in our struggle for equity and justice for all,” the letter stated.
In an interview with CapRadio, Lee expressed her excitement for Harris and discussed the possibility of taking the vacant senate seat.
“I think more people now realize why I endorsed her for president because she’s fully prepared. She’s a person of integrity. She’s a fighter and she’s a trailblazer,” the Oakland politician said. “As vice president, she’s going to move the country forward to attack and crush this virus, to create economic opportunities and address the economic and health impacts of this terrible pandemic and also to bring the country together.”
Lee also said it would be an honor to fill Harris’ position.
“But I think that the governor really, through this process, knows exactly who he thinks will best represent California and best represent the agenda of which Senator Harris has put forth in the Senate,” she added.
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