Former Democratic Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke hit the campaign trail Sunday in Iowa, and the 2020 presidential contender gave some insight on who his running mate could be, should he be the Democratic nominee for president.
During Sunday’s event, O’Rourke was asked by an activist if he would be willing to tab a woman as his vice president. O’Rourke responded by saying that while it was premature to consider who he would select this far out from the election, he would indeed prefer a woman vice president. (RELATED: Beto O’Rourke Out-Raises All Other 2020 Candidates On First Day
WATCH: Beto O’Rourke asked by a voter in Dubuque, Iowa whether he would appoint a woman as his Vice President. pic.twitter.com/L14R7CsuQu
— The Hill (@thehill) March 17, 2019
“It’s hard for me to think of a reason that I would not do that,” O’Rourke said. “I think talking about who I would pick as vice president just feels really premature.”
However, the activist did not relent, saying that it’s important for people in this country to see a woman in the highest position of power. (RELATED: Kamala Harris Claims To Have Listened To Snoop Dogg, Tupac While Smoking Pot)
“You represent the other half of this country too,” the activist said. “We haven’t had a woman vice president.”
“I hear you,” O’Rourke responded. “That would be my preference.”
O’Rourke officially declared his presidential candidacy last week, and is widely considered one of the front-runners for the Democratic nomination. While Democrats have a diverse field of candidates, O’Rourke has sought to thread the needle of intersectionality that has dominated the party in recent years.
Last week, O’Rourke acknowledged his “white privilege,” and apologized for making a joke about his wife.