Joe Biden has selected Senator Kamala Harris of California as his vice-presidential running mate.

By doing so, he is embracing a former rival who sharply criticized him in the Democratic primaries. She emerged after ending her own campaign as a vocal supporter of Biden and a prominent advocate of racial-justice legislation.

Harris, 55, is the first black woman and the first person of Indian descent to be nominated for national office by a major party, and only the fourth woman in history to be chosen for one of their presidential tickets.

Biden announced the selection over text message: “Joe Biden here. Big news: I’ve chosen Kamala Harris as my running mate. Together, with you, we’re going to beat Trump.”