WPTF Afternoon News
Shinica Thomas on Kamala Harris's Historic White House Bid and the Challenges Ahead
Vice President Kamala Harris is starting her fall campaign for the White House and can look to history and hope for better luck than others who have tried the same since 1836 only one sitting vice president George H. W. Bush back in 1988 has been elected to the White House among those who tried and failed Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey and Al Gore joining us now. Chairwoman of the Wake County Commissioner, Shanika Thomas. Shanika, how are you? I'm wonderful, Jeff. How are you? I'm fine. So were you at the Democrat National Commission last week? Actually, I was not. I was here in Wake County, governing. Okay. I imagine so. You're very busy, of course. But what do you feel about Kamala Harris's run right now? Oh, I'm so excited about it. I really am excited about the momentum that everyone is showing around her campaign. I'm excited at how many young people are energized by the Democratic National Convention. And just this election now folks are getting registered folks are checking their registration. So it's just excitement in the air. You mentioned young people there reportedly has been a rise in younger black people, younger black females checking their registration and registering to vote here. Do you think that could be enough to carry Kamala Harris to victory in North Carolina? Well, everything counts. So to say that it's enough, I don't know what enough would be, but we'll take every single voter. We'll take every single person taking their registration. But I really think that the momentum around young people, especially young black women, might have something to do with the divine nine and the sorority connection that Vice President Harris has. And so sorority sisters and divine nine sisters around the country are really in, you know, enthusiastic and energized and trying to make sure that they're being supported. Why do you think he's taking Kamala Harris so long to grant an in person interview what she is going to give to CNN tomorrow? Honestly, I mean, like I told you about the Democratic National Convention, like, she is the vice president. She's working. She's busy. And so I think that there's no real reason to say that she's not avoiding anything. It's just scheduling. I mean, she's on the campaign trail. She's raising funds. And it's not like she's never talked to the press before. She has. And so I'm looking forward to hearing the interview and, you know, seeing, watching and hearing what people have to say about it after. You mentioned the rallying that young people have been able to do around her. What is the excitement that she brings that Joe Biden did not have? Well, I don't know. It's necessarily that, you know, Joe Biden didn't have. I think it's just, you know, folks are excited about her. I think she herself has a lot of enthusiasm. I think that she has a fresh energy. I think that she is very enthusiastic and people like that about her. And so really, that's what I think it is. But I also think that they have worked together for the last four years and they understand very well what it's going to take to continue to move this country forward. Just as we were on the air today, we learned since the top of the hours, as a matter of fact that vice president hopeful Tim walls will visit Raleigh tomorrow for a Democrat fundraiser. Do you anticipate being out and about here locally if Kamala Harris and Tim walls continue and I sure they're going to have more appearances coming up in North Carolina. Do you anticipate appearing with them in the triangle? I'm sure that I will. I've had the pleasure of going to the tarmac to greet her when she came for the rally that she had here, the announcement at Wake Tech campus. I've also had the opportunity to greet President Biden after the debate that night on the tarmac was actually like two o'clock in the morning. And so I'm always honored to have the opportunity to meet them, greet them to talk with them about policy. One of the things I talk about as county commissioners care of this board is that we are better together. And the partnership that we have with our federal partners and, you know, our state partners and the municipalities is really just a map. It's really allowing us to do some great things in the county. And so I look forward, especially, you know, Vice President Harris and the work that she's talking about for affordable housing. We're doing a lot of affordable housing work here in Wake County. And so I look forward against continued partnerships. So yes, I look forward to being out with them. What's it like to get a phone call from somebody like that is this. I mean, does it show up on your phone cell phone is unidentified or something like that. Well, I always answer my phone. I am an elected official chair of the board. So it does not necessarily show up. Sometimes it will say the White House. Sometimes it kind of does email. But it is funny. And my family actually does because I'm like, Oh, I got a call from the White House. And they're like, that's not normal conversation. That's not what everyday people say. And I don't take that for granted. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to lead in the county currently and to have the relationship with our federal partners that allow us to get things done for citizens here in Wake County. I mean, just today, Congressman Nickel announced $750,000 for a first rapid transit project in Southeast Raleigh. So. And can't go into a little more detail about that. What was that announcement there? It was actually over on Tarboro Road at the Tarboro Road Community Center. 750,000 dollars of federal dollars that are going to help with connectivity. So sidewalks and connectivity on that Tarboro Road corridor there. Also looking at electric buses and helping with the bus rapid transit. We really are interested in connectivity around Wake County, the whole county and making sure that folks can walk places that you can stay in community that you can talk to your neighbors that you can get outside, you know, trails, all of these things. And so, Congressman Nickel has secured some dollars for the city of Raleigh and he announced that this earlier today. And it's great announcement. I hope that's going to help out all residents across the area. Nate Katamas, the chairwoman of the Wake County Commissioners. Thank you so much for joining us here today. We'll look forward to talking to you again soon. Absolutely. Have a great day.