Rapper Luther “Luke” Campbell has reversed his position on 2020 Democrat presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) and now says he will endorse her, according to Politico.
Campbell had previously criticized Harris for her career as a prosecutor and for being married to a”rich” white man, lawyer Douglass Emhoff. He asserted that she wasn’t really “for” her own people given that she “went after” black men via the criminal justice system for much of her professional life.
The former 2 Live Crew frontman wrote an op-ed in the Miami New Times shortly after Harris announced her candidacy. “Harris has let black people know they can’t count on her,” he said, adding that she didn’t care about rehabilitation and went after innocent people as a prosecutor.
Since that op-ed, however, Campbell has conducted several interviews, had conversations with prominent African American women and engaged in dialogues with Harris herself that have apparently changed his mind about her presidential run.
Harris hanging on
Harris started out strong following the launch of her campaign, gaining early ground with a strong performance in the first round of debates. However, a disastrous second debate sent her poll numbers into steep decline. It is worth noting that the California senator has not signaled any intention of dropping out of the race any time soon, something Campbell will find reassuring.
Of course, the two top contenders for the nomination right now are white men — former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) — and either one would be the oldest U.S. president on inauguration day, if elected. Those who want a more intersectional candidate tend to view Harris as their best bet.
What options did Campbell really have, if he wanted a black candidate who has any kind of chance to win the nomination? It was either accept Harris and try to explain away his prior objections or go with yet another old white guy.
Not really much of a choice, is it?
Campbell comes around
For his part, Campbell tried to make his change of heart sound good. He claims he was won over by Harris’ self-declared commitment to criminal justice reform.
Cambpell also cited Harris’ views on gun control and her involvement with societal re-entry initiatives designed to provide convicted felons with educational and employment opportunities. “I went back and looked deeper at the record,” Campbell said in an Instagram post.
Now he’s fully on board with Harris, although he acknowledges that she still has to overcome significant stigma stemming from her relationship with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, which some have suggested she used as a means to get ahead in her own career.
“I’m a man,” Campbell said. “I can say I made a mistake.”
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