Virginia political leaders split following Biden's announcement of Harris as VP pick

RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) -- In 2016, Hillary Clinton and Virginia Senator Tim Kaine had a strong win in the commonwealth.

Former Republican Congressman Robert Hurt and former Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe said that California Sen. Kamala Harris joining Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket for the 2020 presidential election is a historical accomplishment.

They said that being the first African American woman on a presidential ticket is something that many Americans can look at as a win. But, as far as political policy goes, the two see the landscape very differently for voters in Virginia.

"Joe Biden's plan with Kamala Harris is to build back better," McAuliffe said. "We have to get manufacturing back, we have to do it in rural communities and that's going to be a big challenge."

However, Hurt argued that the pair are too disconnected from Virginia voters.

"A Northeastern liberal or a California liberal are not going to resonate in southside or central Virginia," Hurt said.

Recent polling by FiveThirtyEight from Virginia shows that Joe Biden is leading President Donald Trump, 51 to 40%.

In order to vote in the upcoming election, you have to register to vote in the Commonwealth by Oct. 13. If you want a mail-in ballot, you must file your request by Friday, October 23 at 5 p.m.