‘A big deal’: Fresno pastor on Kamala Harris’ presumed nomination

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – On July 21, President Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 Presidential race . Biden’s withdrawal also included his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as his choice to be the Democratic Party’s candidate for President of the United States.

Some local leaders say Vice President Harris’s nomination means much more than many realize.

“I think this is a big deal for not just the black community, but any community of color,” Pastor B. T. Lewis of Rising Star Missionary Church said.

Lewis says there is no doubt in his mind that representation and diversity can have a profoundly positive effect on a population.

“When we see people that look like us or that have gone through some of the same struggles that we have in this country and see them rise to a position of power and authority and do it with grace and humility, I think that bodes well for all of our children and bodes well for our country as a whole.”

Beyond Harris’ potential to be an example for others, Lewis says Harris’s empathetic legislation approach could help impoverished communities.

“I think she’s very familiar with some of the problems we face,” Lewis said. “Challenges that we have. Trying to level the playing field so that people have opportunities that they would not ordinarily have under a Republican administration.”

Lewis says now is the time for political action at the local level with groups like the NAACP, Black Americans for Political Action, and others to drum up support for Vice President Harris.

“We’re going to reach out across the city and across the county and do everything that we can to mobilize and to support the candidacy of Vice President Kamala,” Lewis said.

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