San Mateo County Democrats are all in on Kamala Harris

U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, said she was seeing enthusiasm and excitement across the country for Harris’ candidacy as she praised Biden’s “selfless” decision to not seek reelection. 

“I think that people across the country are grateful to Joe,” she said. “He’s always been a patriot. He’s taken patriotism to a new level — it’s a selfless act and decision that he has taken.”

She acknowledged longtime voter concern about Biden’s capacity to fulfill another four years as president and said that Harris’ skills as a prosecutor would translate well as the candidate to beat former President Donald Trump. 

“I think that first of all, President Biden chose her to be his running mate, to be vice president of the United States. He chose very well,” Eshoo said. “I think that she will prosecute the case very well — just as she did as district attorney, just as she did as attorney general, just as she did with Trump’s nominees for the Supreme Court, with the Judiciary Committee.” 

Longtime San Mateo County Democratic activist and lawyer Joe Cotchett, a staunch supporter and friend to the Biden campaign, also lauded the decision and said it was best for the country. 

“I was quoted in all the papers as saying he should continue on … I came to my senses and realized we’re living in a situation where he’s got to look at the country first and not his legacy,” he said. “I’m so proud of him.” 

He expressed a similar sentiment about Harris’ candidacy, pointing to her past history as a public servant. 

“I think she’s terrific. I want to see a woman president. Her work from day one was as a public servant, first as district attorney, then attorney general, then a U.S. senator. She’s been phenomenal,” he said. 

He suggested Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro or Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly — both men who could help secure battleground states and whose names have frequently come up in conversation around the decision — as viable options for her vice president. 

In a statement, U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin, D-South San Francisco, also expressed support for Harris, whom he endorsed for vice president in 2020 during her first campaign for the office. 

“Kamala Harris at the top of the Democratic ballot demonstrates that Democrats are poised to represent where America is going, not where it has been. Kamala Harris is more than prepared to run a robust campaign and serve effectively as president,” the statement read. 

With the future of the country in the balance, democratic wins across the board — including the House of Representatives, where Democrats hold a slim minority of seats — are more important than ever, the statement emphasized. 

Mullin also applauded Biden’s decision and accomplishments while in office and expressed confidence in him to conclude his presidential term. 

“He is a titan of the political world and a true patriot who has improved the lives of so many. I remain grateful for his steadfast dedication to the democratic values that have built America,” the statement read. 

The San Mateo County Democratic Party is also now focused on getting Harris into office, Chair Karen Maki said. 

“[Biden’s] done a phenomenal amount. He managed to get us out of the COVID crisis, created huge numbers of jobs. He also passed the strongest climate bill that’s ever been passed and lowered prices for insulin,” she said. “We’re very impressed with him and we’re very strong on getting Kamala Harris in the White House.” 

Anecdotally, the organization has been seeing more people wanting to volunteer since the announcement, Maki said, and is directing those with interest to the Bay Area Coalition, a group of 40 entities that work on phone banks and canvassing.