Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) expanded his list of potential vice presidential nominees to include two more former presidential contenders.
In an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Biden was asked if he would consider picking former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) or former Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro to be his running mate.
“I would consider either or both of them,” Biden said, adding, “I’ve spoken to each of them. … My plea to both of them is that they stay engaged. They are talented, talented people.”
Watch his comments below:
Biden’s response came after a question about how seriously he would campaign in Texas — a state that has voted reliably for Republican presidential candidates.
Castro, who endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), has said that he does not have any interest in being vice president.
Meanwhile, O’Rourke said in early 2019 that he would not rule out running as vice president.
“I’m going to consider every way to serve this country. And, yes, that will include anything.”
Biden vowed to the Dallas Morning News that there would be Latino officials in his cabinet.
“I can guarantee you that there’s going to be Latinos in my cabinet. I can guarantee there are going to be Latinos in my White House, and both of them are qualified.”
Just days before those comments, Biden said he would also consider Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) as his running mate, as IJR has previously reported.