Topline
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper have taken themselves out of the contest to become Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, days before Harris is expected to announce who will join her on the ticket.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally on June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu … [+]
Key Facts
Harris’ campaign has sent vetting materials to North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, all of whom have endorsed Harris to replace Biden, NBC News reported last week.
CBS subsequently reported that Harris’ team is vetting about a dozen people, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, in addition to the figures named by NBC.
Cooper said in a statement Monday he was “honored to be considered” for the role, but it “just wasn’t the right time.”
Whitmer, who is serving as Harris’ campaign co-chair, also said Monday she was “not part of the vetting” Harris’ campaign is conducting with potential VP picks, after saying repeatedly she plans to serve out the remainder of her term as governor, through the end of 2026.
Shapiro, who like Harris, previously served as his home state’s attorney general and fought lawsuits from former President Donald Trump and his allies challenging Biden’s 2020 win in the state, could help shore up support in a must-win Rust Belt state for Democrats.
Kelly also represents a swing state Biden narrowly won in 2020, and he defeated Trump-backed Republican Blake Masters in the 2022 midterm to help Democrats maintain control of the Senate—the former astronaut and husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., tweeted after Biden dropped out that he “couldn’t be more confident that [Harris] is the right person to defeat Donald Trump.”
Walz, who chairs the Democratic National Convention rules committee, told CBS Minneapolis affiliate WCCO last week becoming vice president is something he would “be a little nervous about.”
Kentucky’s popular governor, Beshear, who has won his deep-red state twice, is another potential pick for the No. 2 spot on a new Democratic ticket, though Democrats would still be unlikely to win Kentucky.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Pritzker are other names commonly floated, but they could be at a disadvantage since they represent blue states, while Raimondo—who served as Rhode Island governor—is also reportedly under consideration.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Buttigieg (who both endorsed Harris) are other potential candidates who have national name recognition from their 2020 presidential campaigns.
Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., if chosen, could also draw Black voters in the key swing state, where he’s proven he can beat Republicans—twice—in closely contested races, but if he leaves the Senate, his state’s Republican governor would pick his successor.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is another rising star in the Democratic party, but he said Monday he has “no intention” of leaving his current role.
News Peg
Whitmer told CBS on Monday Harris would “probably, in the next six, seven days” announce her running mate.
What To Watch For
Democratic delegates will begin casting their votes in a virtual roll call during the first week of August. Parties typically select their nominees at their conventions (the Democrats’ begins Aug. 19 in Chicago), but the DNC is holding a virtual, early roll call this year to adhere to a since-modified Ohio law that required nominees to be finalized 90 days before the election, even though the Ohio legislature has since pushed back the timeline.
Key Background
Biden announced on July 21 he is ending his 2024 presidential campaign, saying he believes “it is in the best interest of my party and the country to stand down.” His announcement came after he fended off calls from more than 30 elected Democrats to drop out of the race following a rough performance in last month’s debate. He promptly endorsed Harris as his replacement, she announced plans to seek the nomination moments later, and Democrats quickly fell in line behind her.
Tangent
Harris, Whitmer, Newsom, Buttigieg, Pritzker and Klobuchar all poll behind Trump in hypothetical matchups, according to a CNN/SSRS poll taken before Biden dropped out of the race. All fare better than Biden, who trails the former president by six points. Harris performs best of the six, polling two points behind Trump. Kelly had the highest favorability rating, by far, of nine potential VP picks tested in a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Sunday, with 22% viewing him favorably, and 12% viewing him unfavorably, for a net rating of +10. Beshear, Buttigieg and Shapiro each had a +4 net favorability rating.
Further Reading
2022 midterms, 2024 presidential campaign, the January 6 House committee investigation, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster, the 2023 State of the Union Address, former President Donald Trump’s federal election interference and classified documents cases and his Manhattan hush money case. Dorn graduated in 2012 from the University of Dayton with a degree in journalism. Prior to joining Forbes, she covered New York City and state politics for the New York Post and City and State magazine. Follow her for updates and analysis on the 2024 presidential race, key Senate and House races and developments in Congress and at the White House.
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