CLEVELAND — The race is now truly on.
On Tuesday, former Vice President Joe Biden made his long-awaited choice of Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate for this fall's presidential election.
Harris was sworn in as a Senator in 2017 and she was the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator in history. She was also California Attorney General, doing so at the same time Biden’s late son, Beau Biden, held the same post in Delaware.
How is the selection of Harris being viewed by key Democrats across Ohio? Here's a sample of the reaction:
Rep. Tim Ryan, who competed against Harris and Biden in the presidential primary, weighed in with a statement and a post of support on social media.
"Kamala Harris is the perfect running mate for Joe Biden and an historic choice as the first Black and Asian American woman vice-president. Kamala Harris is tough, passionate, principled and possesses the character this country needs to steer away from the divisive politics of our current president and work with Joe Biden to unite this country and get us back on to track to fulfill the promise of our nation. Kamala Harris loves Ohio and Ohio loves Kamala Harris. Together, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are going to lay out a positive vision that will send voters rushing to the ballot and mailboxes to reject the past and embrace the future."
It wasn't just Democrats who had an opinion about a Biden-Harris ticket on Tuesday. Ohio Republican Party Chairman Jane Timken released the following statement.
"We knew Joe Biden's eventual running mate would be someone with their own progressive agenda to peddle. With Kamala Harris chosen earlier today as Biden's choice for vice president, that assumption remains true. Harris has supported taxpayer-funded healthcare, slashing the defense budget, raising taxes, and eliminating the Electoral College - radical proposals that will be disastrous for Ohioans. The choice for voters is between two extreme liberal candidates and a President who has kept his promises and led Americans through tough times. To voters who value being able to keep their insurance, having more money in their pockets thanks to tax cuts, and limited government, the choice is clear."