Who is Cedric Richmond? What to know about potential running mate for Kalama Harris.
As inquiries into who may join the Democratic ticket as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate grow more intense, the names of numerous prominent Democrats, including several current members of Congress and governors in at least five states, have been floated, according to sources familiar with the process.
Harris' VP options: From Josh Shapiro to Mark Kelly, sizing up the slate's pros and cons
Many are currently household names, who could sway undecided voters from their respective states. But one candidate, Cedric Richmond, is a more elusive figure. A longtime supporter of both Biden and Harris’ political careers, Richmond is a well-known figure within political circles in the nation’s capital. But for those less familiar with Washington’s political landscape, here are a few things to know about Harris’ potential vice presidential pick.
Who is Cedric Richmond?
Richmond began his political career in the Louisiana State Legislature, where he was first elected in 2000 at age 27. At the time, he was one of the youngest representatives to ever join the Louisiana legislature, and he spent a decade representing constituents in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
In 2010, Richmond was elected to Congress to represent Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District, defeating the incumbent Republican Rep. Joseph Cao. During his time in Congress, he served as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and was a protégé of former House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina. Richmond also served as co-chair of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign.
After ten years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Richmond resigned from Congress at the beginning of 2021 to join the Biden administration as a senior adviser to the president and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
In May 2022, Richmond became a senior advisor to the Democratic National Committee.
What strengths could Richmond bring to the ticket?
As a former Congressman — and an influential one at that — Richmond could prove to be a useful ally to Harris as her Vice President. (Notably, every vice president since 1977 has served in Congress first.) He also knows Harris well from his time leading the Congressional Black Caucus and as co-chair of the Biden transition team.
However, Richmond questioned his prospect of becoming Harris' running mate.
"I would color that doubtful," Richmond told FOX 8 WVUE-TV, a New Orleans TV station.
Who else is in the running to be VP?
In addition to Richmond, the Harris campaign has reportedly requested vetting materials from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Maya Homan is a 2024 election fellow at USA TODAY, focusing on Georgia politics. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, as @MayaHoman.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Who is Cedric Richmond? Things to know about Harris' potential VP
