Joe Biden is expected to announce his vice president running mate soon, so The Day sought a sense of who local Democratic voters would like him to pick.

Many respondents to The Day's email question felt Biden should pick Sen. Kamala Harris, former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, or another established female politician to run with him. Others hoped Biden, a centrist, would appease the left of his party and spring for Sens. Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders.

Some, like Ledyard Democrat Laura Lee and Norwich Democrat Samuel Browning, have no preference — they’re voting for the candidate running against President Donald Trump no matter who that candidate’s running mate is.

Waterford Democrat Krista Larrow, who noted “any functioning adult would do,” is in the Abrams and Harris camp. She added Warren to that list, “or another strong female candidate.

“If there is any question about the competency of female leadership, we need only to look to countries with female leadership who have effectively managed to keep their infected numbers down,” she said, alluding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kathy Neugent of Groton, a Democrat, also expressed hope for Abrams.

“Abrams is a dynamic speaker who could energize and excite voting groups such as the young, minorities and progressives, groups Democrats need to vote in droves in November,” Neugent said. “Although she is lighter in experience than some of the others under consideration, she is very smart, and being the VP will give her all the experience she needs.”

Waterford Democrat Ed Pellegri said he wishes Biden would choose New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as his vice president, although he doesn’t expect this result.

Eunice Arnold, a Branford Democrat, prefers Biden choose between “two tough women”: Sen. Tammy Duckworth or Harris.

Norwich Democrat William Kenny said he hopes Biden will pick Harris, Duckworth or Warren as his running mate “because they represent expansions and extensions to the appeal of the Democratic Party while also signaling the continuation of a progressive and inclusive forward-leaning agenda for our country ...”

New London Democrat Greg Kotecki shared Kenny’s sentiments.

“Biden has already committed to a female vice president, which I believe is the right thing to do and what this country needs at this moment in its history,” Kotecki said. In addition, he said, Biden should run with a Black woman in the name of racial equality. Kotecki believes Kamala Harris fits the bill, and she can “step in” if needed to be president.

Biden's age (77) was a consideration for some.

"After all, we have two very elder candidates running, so this becomes a major consideration,” Kotecki said. “As a current U.S. Senator, a former California Attorney General and a former San Francisco District Attorney General, Harris absolutely has the experience needed for the position of vice president.”

Browning, of Norwich, said a good vice president for Biden would be someone "ready to take his place immediately if something bad happens to him.""

Independent Bob Salen of Niantic said he thinks Warren is the best option for vice president.

"Joe Biden needs to be backed up by a qualified VP that can fill his shoes if needed," Salen said. "I don't agree with all of her positions, but she's the best pick. Race should not be a consideration."

Robert Laurie, a Stonington Democrat, said Biden should pick a Black woman, and he suggested Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Matthew Shulman, a Groton Democrat, said his top choice would be Harris, followed by Susan Rice, since, he said, this election calls for a nationally known figure as a vice presidential candidate. Stonington Democrat John Groton also said Biden should go with either Harris or Rice. Another Democrat from Stonington, Mark Bancroft, said he is in favor of Harris for vice president.

Fredrick Turnbull of Mystic, a Democrat, said he’d like to see Amy Klobuchar on Biden’s ticket, even though she took herself out of consideration. “She is the best possible choice to take over should he become ill,” he said.

Mystic Democrat Robert Chew said he wants Biden “to pick someone who gets him votes and not someone who generates racial or sexist backlash.” He eventually settled on either Harris or Duckworth, highlighting Abrams and Rice as potential “disasters” as vice president choices.

Chew said he felt Warren would’ve been “a helluva good president and a terrific campaigner,” but “people don’t like her, and for a lot of the same misogynistic reasons they rejected Hillary (Clinton).”

Larry Zaccaro, a Waterford Democrat, said he wanted Biden to choose Warren or Sanders. Patricia C. Vener-Saavedra of Hamden, who identified her party as Socialist Alternative, said, “My preference is the farthest left candidate possible. We should be so lucky.” And Susan Menghi, another Waterford Democrat, said she hopes Biden chooses Sanders or Warren, “as those were my top choices for president.”

Day Staff Writers Kimberly Drelich, Julia Bergman, Erica Moser and Amanda Hutchinson contributed to this report.

s.spinella@theday.com

About This Story

We want to inform the region's voters about important issues and races during Election 2020. We want to engage with our readers to help inform our coverage. We will ask for your input and feedback via social media, email newsletters, text messaging and during livestreamed debates. We will strive to accurately and fairly represent the diverse perspectives of the voters and candidates of southeastern Connecticut.

For this article, readers who have volunteered to be part of The Day's election coverage answered the question "Who do you hope that Joe Biden will choose as his running mate?" via email. To become part of our future coverage, complete the form below.