PA candidate running to be first Black Republican woman in Senate slams Biden over past ‘ain't Black’ comments

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Kathy Barnette, a Black woman from Pennsylvania running as a Republican for U.S. Senate, criticized President Biden's previous comments on race in a Wednesday tweet.

Barnette, 49, is aiming to become the first Black Republican woman to ever serve on the U.S. Senate; only 11 Black Americans have served in the Senate in its entire 232-year history.

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"I'm Kathy Barnette, and I'm running to become the first Black Republican [w]oman elected to the US Senate," she tweeted along with a video announcing her candidacy. "I’ll be the voice we need to defend our rights."

She added: "And by the way, Joe, just because I believe in competent leadership doesn't mean 'I ain't Black!'"

The tweet references a comment Biden made in May after suggesting during a contentious radio interview with host Charlamagne tha God that those having a hard time "figuring out" whether to support him or President Trump "ain't black."

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"If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black," he said, sparking backlash from a number of politicians and pundits on social media and TV.

Biden expressed regret over the comment during a May phone call with Black business owners.

"I shouldn't have been such a wise guy," Biden said. "... No one should have to vote for any party, based on their race or religion or background."

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In the first week of his presidency, President Biden signed a series of executive orders aimed at promoting racial equity in America, following through on a campaign promise he made last year amid nationwide racial protests.

Barnette is a veteran, a former adjunct professor of corporate finance and author of the book, "Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain: Being Black and Conservative in America," according to her campaign website.

Fox News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.