Dr. Sharon Wright Austin writes that when candidate Joe Biden selects a running mate, there’s another qualified Black woman he would be remiss to overlook: Florida Representative Val Demings. With a background in law enforcement, Demings brings a tough on crime record, and comes from a battleground state crucial for the Democratic party.
Sharon Wright Austin is a professor of political science at the University of Florida in Gainesville. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. View more opinion on CNN. In a matter of days, Joe Biden is expected to announce his vice presidential pick. So far, he has only given a few clues — she will be a highly qualified woman, and at least four Black women are under consideration. Sharon Wright Austin While much of the media attention has focused on California Sen. Kamala Harris, former national security adviser Susan Rice and California Rep. Karen Bass, there is another qualified Black candidate who warrants a closer look — Florida Rep. Val Demings. A former social worker turned police chief, Demings impressed so many people after her retirement that she was urged to run for Congress. After she won, she became a rising star, and most recently, she was asked to be one of seven managers in the impeachment efforts against Donald Trump, Demings would bring a set of important, albeit disparate, experiences to the number two position on the ticket. Recent polls indicate that Biden would win if the election were held today, but he shouldn’t be overly confident, given how Hillary Clinton’s lead in the polls didn’t bring her victory in 2016. Read More So, if Biden cannot rest easy, what should he do? Choose a candidate who is sure to attract voters, not just in the Democratic Party, but also among independents and moderate Republicans. Demings, with her unique set of job experiences, has that ability.
