Morning Edition spoke to Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, who worked with VP Harris when the two were state attorneys general, on why that experience is relevant to being Commander in Chief.
Vice President Kamala Harris frequently talks about her time as a prosecutor – and how that experience has prepared her for the White House.
Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto told Morning Edition why Harris emphasizes that experience. The two served as attorneys general in neighboring states for five years and worked together on several issues.
They helped secure part of a national $25 billion settlement from mortgage lenders accused of foreclosure abuses. Cortez Masto credits Harris with helping smaller states get more money in the settlement.
And despite Nevada not being a border state, the two worked together to address drug and human trafficking, as well as money laundering, with Harris facilitating talks between U.S. and Mexican officials to tackle these issues.
“I think people are seeing that now at a national level, as she really gets around the country, including in Nevada, talking about why, as the President of the United States, she will continue to fight for our working families and our businesses,” Cortez Masto said.
Cortez Masto, the granddaughter of a Mexican immigrant, made history in 2016 as the first—and so far, only—Latina senator, defeating GOP Rep. Joe Heck. She won reelection in 2022 by defeating Republican Adam Laxalt, a former Nevada attorney general endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
Cortez Masto calls herself a confidant of Harris. The two became senators in 2017. Cortez Masto was involved in the vetting for Harris’ running mate, and her knowledge of swing-state Nevada could benefit Harris’ campaign.
She spoke to Morning Edition as part of our “We, The Voters” series about working with Harris as attorneys general, the VP vetting process and what Nevadans expect from a new administration, regardless of the election outcome.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
A Martinez: Is there any particular skill set from an attorney general that makes it applicable to being a commander in chief?
Cortez Masto: During that debate, it was very clear. I think she has the ability to talk to the American people. And what she told them is, “Listen, I’m going to show you. I’m telling you why this former president is a danger to the country and our national security, because he can be easily manipulated by foreign dictators.” And then she proceeded to show how he could be easily manipulated.
