Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid has endorsed Rep. Chris Van Hollen in the Maryland Senate race and in the process angered black activist and founder of progressive political action committee PowerPAC+, Steve Phillips.

Phillips told BuzzFeed News, “For Harry Reid to come out and endorse Van Hollen is insulting period. But to do it on the anniversary of the Selma 50th anniversary — to make an endorsement that would make the Senate less diverse — is outrageous and insulting.”

Phillips felt the nod could have gone to a black Democrat, such as Rep. Donna Edwards or former head of the NAACP Ben Jealous.

With regard to Reid nominating a white person for the job, Phillips said, "That’s how you perpetuate an unequal status quo.” He added, "If there is any interest in putting actions behind rhetoric and equality, he would just stay out.”

BuzzFeed notes that Reid's democratic caucus "is even more overwhelmingly white than the Senate Republicans." But according to Reid's own statement regarding his endorsement of Van Hollen, he is less interested in diversity and more interested in fortifying party lines:

[N]ot only would Chris Van Hollen be the best and most effective person for the job, I have no doubt that he is in the best and strongest position to make sure that this Senate seat remains in Democratic hands in a state that just elected a Republican governor.