Supreme Court fight could boost Kamala Harris ahead of US election
- Joe Biden’s running mate is about to become central figure opposing Trump’s bid to replace late justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- As member of Senate Judiciary Committee, Harris will be in spotlight during highly anticipated hearing on president’s nominee
Kamala Harris is poised to become a leading figure in the Democratic opposition to President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court pick, with her status as both a lawmaker and vice presidential nominee putting her in the centre of the fight.
The California senator is in a unique role following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday. She is Joe Biden’s running mate and a member of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, which would hold a hearing on Trump’s nominee.
Since Biden selected Harris as his running mate in August, she has largely pitched the campaign’s message to smaller audiences through virtual fundraisers and a handful of day trips to key states.
A highly anticipated confirmation hearing would almost certainly change that, giving Harris a massive platform to demonstrate her political skills and articulate the campaign’s message that Ginsburg’s successor should not be chosen until after the election.
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“Just in the discussion about what should happen, her role on Judiciary I think gives her an elevated profile,” said Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, the 2016 Democratic vice-presidential nominee. “And people will listen to her a little more intently knowing that she’s a Judiciary Committee member.”