Kamala Harris’ VP Shortlist: Campaign Reportedly Vetting These Running Mate Hopefuls

Forbes Business Breaking Kamala Harris’ VP Shortlist: Campaign Reportedly Vetting These Running Mate Hopefuls Sara Dorn Forbes Staff Sara Dorn is a Forbes news reporter who covers politics. Following Jul 24, 2024, 05:33pm EDT Updated Jul 24, 2024, 05:34pm EDT Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Vice President Kamala Harris appears
Kamala Harris’ VP Shortlist: Campaign Reportedly Vetting These Running Mate Hopefuls

Kamala Harris’ VP Shortlist: Campaign Reportedly Vetting These Running Mate Hopefuls

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Updated Jul 24, 2024, 05:34pm EDT

Topline

Vice President Kamala Harris appears to be closing in on the Democratic nomination after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race Sunday, triggering a rushed competition among the Democratic Party’s rising stars to become her running mate—with about a dozen major names circulating.

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.

CBS says 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 and Harris have stumped for Biden in Cooper’s home state, which hasn’t picked a Democratic president since 2008 but is typically close, and he spoke to Harris over the phone Sunday, he told MSNBC on Monday.

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 Sunday he “couldn’t be more confident that [Harris] is the right person to defeat Donald Trump.”

Whitmer could also help the party win votes in a key swing state, but she said Monday she would not accept an offer to be Harris’ running mate.

Walz, who chairs the Democratic National Convention rules committee, told CBS Minneapolis affiliate WCCO on Monday 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.


What To Watch For

Harris is tasked with choosing a running mate before the first week of August, when Democrats plan to officially select their nominee. 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 Sunday 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 on Sunday, 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.

Further Reading

Biden In Salvage Mode: Tells Campaign Staff ‘I’m In This Race To The End’ After Rallying Congressional Allies (Forbes)

Kamala Harris Leads Major Biden Alternatives In Polls—Here’s How The President’s Top Replacements Are Polling (Forbes)

These Are The Likely Democratic Presidential Candidates If Biden Drops Out—As Rough Debate Prompts Calls To Stand Down (Forbes)

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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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