US Vice President Kamala Harris is focusing on a group of potential running mates as she races against a two-week deadline to finalize her choice for the upcoming presidential bid.
Harris is expected to make her selection by August 7, in line with the party’s schedule to virtually nominate a ticket by that date. She is considering a broad range of candidates from within the Democratic Party, with a shortlist reportedly including three high-profile elected officials: Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Kevin Munoz, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, stated that she “directed her team to begin the process of vetting potential running mates” but did not provide further details on the search. Harris is expected to make her selection by August 7 to align with the party’s plan to virtually nominate a ticket by that date.
Choosing a vice presidential candidate will solidify the Democratic lineup for the November election against Republican nominee Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance. Harris’ running mate will act as a force multiplier, campaigning and fundraising on her behalf while ideally complementing her strengths and addressing any potential weaknesses.
Most of the candidates on Harris’ list are White, male politicians with centrist positions, aimed at appealing to swing-state voters, business leaders, and donors. These candidates have a history of challenging Trump and his aggressive style of politics. Tim Walz, in particular, has gained traction among progressives, which has elevated him as a serious contender.
Harris’ allies emphasize that the chemistry between the vice president and her choice is as crucial as their political qualifications. Having experienced the demands of being the number two on the Democratic ticket, Harris is considering how her potential running mate will complement her.
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Harris’ rapid rise to become the presumptive Democratic nominee, following President Joe Biden’s surprising withdrawal from the race, has sped up the usually lengthy vetting process for potential running mates. This selection will occur as Harris works diligently to reshape the Biden campaign in her vision, establish her own identity with voters, and boost her campaign’s financial resources, all with approximately 100 days remaining until Election Day.
Democrats have urged a thorough vetting process to ensure no red flags are overlooked. This caution has become more pressing following the resurfacing of old footage showing JD Vance making derogatory comments about childless women, which has faced significant backlash.
“As the Trump team is finding out, it’s not just the legal vetting that the team has to do, but it also has to go through tweets, speeches and clips,” said Democratic strategist Karen Finney. “You want a thorough vet, and you want to go through a substantial volume of background info to give you a picture of the person.”
Former Attorney General Eric Holder is heading the vetting process. His law firm, Covington & Burling LLP, has compiled 12 to 15 files on potential candidates, according to one person familiar with the process, indicating that Harris initially cast a broad net.
Josh Shapiro, the popular governor of a key swing state, is known for his strong oratory skills and has performed well in rural areas—a traditional weak spot for Democrats. Tim Walz, a former teacher and Army National Guard member, could counter Trump’s efforts to make Minnesota competitive and provide a counterpoint to Vance’s Midwestern appeal.
Mark Kelly, from a battleground state with significant border issues, has diverged from Biden on immigration matters. His wife, Gabrielle Giffords, is a former congresswoman and gun-control advocate who survived an assassination attempt in 2011.
Harris is also considering candidates from the Biden Cabinet. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are among those being vetted. A Harris campaign official noted that she is evaluating potential picks based on shared political values, including views on the economy and democracy, as well as their capability to serve as a governing partner and lead the country if needed.
The transition from Biden to Harris has sparked renewed energy among Democrats, who have mobilized tens of thousands on organizing calls and contributed millions of dollars since the president’s exit. The challenge for Harris is to maintain this momentum as she finalizes her vice-presidential pick.
Harris’ surrogates are actively campaigning in key battlegrounds, including potential running mates. This weekend, Shapiro and Walz are focused on their home states, while Buttigieg is touring three ports, including stops in Michigan and Wisconsin.
Those under consideration have remained largely tight-lipped about the selection process, though few have openly declined the opportunity. At a recent event on environmental grants, Shapiro was bombarded with questions about his potential selection, to which he humorously replied, “Are we not talking about concrete anymore?”
Mark Kelly remarked to reporters outside the US Capitol on Thursday that the selection process isn’t focused on him, emphasizing, “but I’ve always, always when I’ve had the chance to serve, I think that’s very important to do.”
In Washington, Democrats are speculating about who might be the best fit for Harris’ ticket. Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle suggested, “I know the conventional wisdom is that she needs to pick a White man. I don’t disagree that having that kind of gender balance is good, but if you wanted to swing for the fences, you could do a Harris-Whitmer ticket that would excite a lot of people,” referring to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who has stated she would decline if offered.
Daschle also noted that Kelly and Shapiro would “provide a fantastic contrast” with Vance.
By the end of the week, excitement was palpable in Congress regarding Harris’ decision. Senator Laphonza Butler, a close ally of Harris, praised Kelly as smart and highlighted that he entered public service “for all the right reasons.”
Harris’ choice, she said, “is going to come down to what is her relationship, what kind of familiarity and loyalty she feels with whoever she picks.”
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