Presumptive Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein has named Ajamu Baraka, an international human rights scholar and activist, as her running mate.
“Ajamu Baraka is a powerful, eloquent spokesperson for the transformative, radical agenda whose time has come — an agenda of economic, social, racial, gender, climate, indigenous and immigrant justice,” Stein said in a statement Tuesday. “Ajamu’s life’s work has embodied the immortal words of Dr. Martin Luther King: Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Stein, a doctor, is expected to be formally nominated as the Green Party’s presidential candidate Saturday at its national convention in Houston.
Stein spokeswoman Meleiza Firueroa told CNN that Baraka was preparing a statement in response to his selection.
Baraka was the founding executive director of the US Human Rights Network and coordinator of the Black Left Unity Network’s Committee on International Affairs.
Baraka also has served on several boards, including Amnesty International, the National Center for Human Rights Education and the Center for Constitutional Rights. He is a member of the Green Shadow Cabinet and an associate fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies.
Stein said in her statement that she considered offering the spot to former Bernie Sanders surrogate Nina Turner, a former Ohio state senator.
“The fit just wasn’t right, as Senator Turner is still committed to try to save the soul of the Democratic Party. While we may not agree on whether that is possible, I respect her passion to fight for the people and wish her the best in her effort,” Stein said.
A CNN/ORC poll released Monday found Stein polling at 5% with registered voters. Democrat Hillary Clinton leads with 45% and Republican Donald Trump has 37% of the vote, with Libertarian Gary Johnson receiving 9%.
