A shortlist of Democrats who could be a vice presidential pick for Harris
With President Joe Biden’s support unleashing a flood of endorsements from nearly every prominent Democrat in the country, Kamala Harris has emerged as the odds-on favorite to take his place as the party’s nominee for president.
With President Joe Biden's endorsement, Kamala Harris has become the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, receiving a wave of support from party leaders across the country. The focus now shifts to Harris' running mate, with several prominent Democrats being considered. Here's a closer look at some of the potential candidates:
- Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania: Shapiro had a landslide victory in 2022, and his handling of the assassination attempt on former President Trump has brought him into the national spotlight. He has been endorsed by Barack Obama and praised by Harris herself.
- Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina: Cooper leads a crucial battleground state and has a track record of clashing with the Republican-led state legislature over issues like abortion and voting rights. He has endorsed Harris and praised her ability to defeat Trump.
- Mark Kelly, Senator from Arizona: Kelly represents a key swing state and has national name recognition as a former astronaut and the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords. He has been a reliable Democratic supporter but has occasionally taken independent stances.
- Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky: Beshear has been floated as a possible vice-presidential candidate, having won reelection in a deep-red state. He has made abortion a key issue and has expressed willingness to consider joining Harris on the ticket.
- J.B. Pritzker, Governor of Illinois: Pritzker, a billionaire heir, has navigated critical issues like gun control and reproductive rights. He has led Illinois through the post-Roe v. Wade era, accommodating women seeking abortion care from neighboring states.
- Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Secretary: Buttigieg, a centrist, made history with his 2020 presidential campaign and has been a vocal critic of the airline industry. He would be an effective attack dog and has experience sparring with conservatives.
- Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan: Whitmer, who won reelection in a crucial swing state, was once considered a top candidate to replace Biden. However, she has endorsed Harris and stated her commitment to remaining in Michigan.
- Gavin Newsom, Governor of California: Newsom, who gained attention for his debates with Republican governors, has endorsed Harris. However, constitutional issues would arise if he were to join the ticket, as the 12th Amendment prohibits electors from voting for presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the same state.
The selection of Harris' running mate will be a critical decision, and these individuals represent a diverse range of options for the Democratic ticket.
- Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania: Shapiro had a landslide victory in 2022, and his handling of the assassination attempt on former President Trump has brought him into the national spotlight. He has been endorsed by Barack Obama and praised by Harris herself.
- Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina: Cooper leads a crucial battleground state and has a track record of clashing with the Republican-led state legislature over issues like abortion and voting rights. He has endorsed Harris and praised her ability to defeat Trump.
- Mark Kelly, Senator from Arizona: Kelly represents a key swing state and has national name recognition as a former astronaut and the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords. He has been a reliable Democratic supporter but has occasionally taken independent stances.
- Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky: Beshear has been floated as a possible vice-presidential candidate, having won reelection in a deep-red state. He has made abortion a key issue and has expressed willingness to consider joining Harris on the ticket.
- J.B. Pritzker, Governor of Illinois: Pritzker, a billionaire heir, has navigated critical issues like gun control and reproductive rights. He has led Illinois through the post-Roe v. Wade era, accommodating women seeking abortion care from neighboring states.
- Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Secretary: Buttigieg, a centrist, made history with his 2020 presidential campaign and has been a vocal critic of the airline industry. He would be an effective attack dog and has experience sparring with conservatives.
- Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan: Whitmer, who won reelection in a crucial swing state, was once considered a top candidate to replace Biden. However, she has endorsed Harris and stated her commitment to remaining in Michigan.
- Gavin Newsom, Governor of California: Newsom, who gained attention for his debates with Republican governors, has endorsed Harris. However, constitutional issues would arise if he were to join the ticket, as the 12th Amendment prohibits electors from voting for presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the same state.
The selection of Harris' running mate will be a critical decision, and these individuals represent a diverse range of options for the Democratic ticket.