Join us in calling for a woman of color VP
Aimee Allison
After a tumultuous week that’s left Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders -- two white men -- standing as the two frontrunners for the Democratic presidential nomination, there is tremendous grief around how we got here from one of the most diverse primary fields in history.
Elizabeth Warren charted a path for what a campaign that values women of color should look like. Her collaborative policymaking process with women of color was transformative. Her grasstops outreach went beyond any other campaign in connecting with local leaders--, but you also need a strong ground game and grassroots momentum. Sanders and Biden certainly worked to appeal to Latinx and Asian American voters and Black voters, respectively. Even in predominantly white Iowa, Sanders’ campaign built success canvassing Black and Latinx factory workers.
Media erasure and sexism no doubt played a role in slowing Elizabeth Warren’s momentum, but let’s not forget that she drastically outperformed Joe Biden’s first run for President. Thankfully, we know that Elizabeth Warren isn’t going anywhere and will stay in the fight. We are all the better for it.
Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have only one option to turn our grief into hope: a woman of color as Vice President. They are the two Democratic frontrunners largely because of the support of women of color, the high turnout base of the Democratic Party. Democrats continue to rely on the organizing experience, strategic expertise, and yes -- the votes -- of women of color to win general elections. We must prioritize them in the primaries as well. There is no path to the White House without women of color, and we need a ticket that reflects this reality.
That is why She the People has launched a new poll asking you to tell Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders the woman of color you want to be vice president.
Women of color are 1 in 4 voters in battleground states and 20% of Democratic voters. Look to 2018 for the key to victory; a high turnout of women of color flipped seats and secured the House for Democrats. In 2020, only historic high, enthusiastic turnout of women of color will win the White House and the Senate. A woman of color vice president would inspire voters in must-win states like Florida, Texas, Michigan, and Arizona - where we could win critical electoral college votes. A woman of color committed to protecting and expanding the vote - to make sure that young people and people of color cast their votes - will make the difference.
We can’t risk low voter enthusiasm and low turnout. That’s dangerous for Democrats and more importantly, for our communities. In a race that started with the most diverse field of Democratic presidential candidates in history, it is critical that the Party not move backwards by running an all-white ticket.