(CNN) - Joe Biden, the virtual Democratic candidate, announced that Kamala Harris will be his running mate for the vice presidency, making the California senator the first black woman to run in the presidential election of a major political party.
The announcement comes after a search that was conducted under strict secrecy, and in which most of Biden's campaign advisers, donors, and even many old friends who were intentionally kept in secret on the subject.
"I have the great honor to announce that I have chosen Kamala Harris," Biden tweeted. She called Harris a "fearless fighter" for ordinary people.
Biden and Harris will formally accept their nominations next week during the Democratic National Convention, which will be held via video from various locations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
I have the great honor to announce that I've picked @KamalaHarris - a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country's finest public servants - as my running mate.
- Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 11, 2020