Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke said late Saturday that it would be "very difficult not to select a woman" as his running mate if he wins his party’s nomination in 2020.

"It would be very difficult not to select a woman with so many extraordinary women who are running right now," he said during a campaign stop in Dubuque, Iowa, The Dallas Morning News reported.

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"But first I would have to win," he said. "You know, this is as open as it has ever been."

O’Rourke added that it would be "presumptuous" to think about a vice presidential selection, according to the newspaper.

He later told someone attending the event that it would be his "preference" to select a female running mate, the Morning News added.

O’Rourke, a former congressman from Texas who announced his 2020 bid last week, is part of a crowded and historically diverse pool of Democratic candidates vying to take on President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE.

The Morning News noted that it includes four female senators — Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (N.Y.), Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice First presidential debate to cover coronavirus, Supreme Court Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (Calif.) Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharSocial media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates MORE (Minn.) and Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHarris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda Judd Gregg: The Kamala threat — the Californiaization of America GOP set to release controversial Biden report MORE (Mass.) — as well as Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tulsi GabbardRepublicans call on DOJ to investigate Netflix over 'Cuties' film Hispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates Gabbard says she 'was not invited to participate in any way' in Democratic convention MORE (Hawaii).

Last month, Sen. Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (N.J.), another Democratic presidential candidate, said he would prioritize finding a female running mate if he is the Democratic nominee, the newspaper added.

Booker told MSNBC host Rachel Maddow that he would be “looking to women first” as his pick for vice president.

O'Rourke served three terms in Congress before losing a bid to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzTrump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes Press: Notorious RBG vs Notorious GOP The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Washington on edge amid SCOTUS vacancy MORE (R-Texas) last year.

He was criticized last week for saying that his wife, Amy, raises their children "sometimes" with his help. O'Rourke has pledged to be more mindful about how he talks about his family.

This report was updated at 8:46 a.m.