Who could Kamala Harris pick as her VP? Here are 10 potential running mates

As the Democratic National Convention approaches, speculation is mounting about who Kamala Harris will pick as her running mate. The vice president has a deep bench to consider ahead of the party's nominating convention in Chicago next month. Many of the potential candidates were initially thought of as presidential contenders before President Biden decided to run for reelection. Now that he has announced his withdrawal and endorsed Harris, the field is wide open for the vice-presidential pick.

Here are some of the individuals considered potential vice-presidential candidates:

- Arizona Senator Mark Kelly: The 60-year-old senator from a crucial swing state rose to prominence after his wife, former Representative Gabby Giffords, was shot in 2011. He became an advocate for gun safety and was the first Democrat to hold his Senate seat since 1962. Kelly, a moderate Democrat, could appeal to key voters in Arizona.

- Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro: At 51, Shapiro has already served as the state's attorney general, county commissioner, and state representative. He has outperformed Democratic presidential nominees in Pennsylvania and could boost the party's chances in this critical swing state with 19 electoral votes.

- Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear: Beshear has successfully navigated a solidly red state, winning a second term by a wide margin. He made abortion access a central issue in his campaign and has shown strong leadership during severe weather incidents.

- Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer: Whitmer, 52, is a rising star in the Democratic Party, having won reelection in Michigan by double digits. She has emphasized abortion rights and encouraged Democrats to make reproductive rights a priority. A Harris-Whitmer ticket would be the first significant-party all-female ticket.

- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker: The 59-year-old governor of Illinois has been vocal on issues like gun control and reproductive rights. While Illinois is not a swing state, Pritzker, a billionaire, could provide financial support for the campaign.

- California Governor Gavin Newsom: Newsom, 56, is often mentioned as a future presidential candidate and has been a prominent progressive surrogate for Biden. However, a Harris-Newsom ticket would face a challenge due to the 12th Amendment, which prohibits electors from voting for a president and vice president from the same state.

- Maryland Governor Wes Moore: Moore, 45, is the first Black governor of Maryland and the youngest Democratic governor in the country. A Rhodes Scholar and Army combat veteran, he has been a Biden campaign surrogate and gained national attention for his leadership during the Baltimore bridge collapse.

- Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg: Buttigieg, 42, made history as the first openly gay major presidential candidate in 2020. Although he struggled to gain support from Black voters, he won the Iowa caucuses and later became transportation secretary. He is a frequent Fox News interviewee.

- North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper: Cooper, 67, has served as governor since 2017 and cannot run again due to term limits. He has won gubernatorial races in the same years that Trump carried North Carolina. Cooper has also served as the state's attorney general and represented North Carolina in both the state house and senate.

- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz: Walz, the two-term governor of Minnesota, expects the presidential race to be close in his state. He has a track record of progressive policy wins, including abortion protections, marijuana legalization, and free school meals. Walz is also the chair of the Democratic Governors Association, aiding in fundraising and campaigning for Democratic gubernatorial candidates.

The individuals mentioned above represent a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, and Vice President Harris will have a challenging decision to make in the coming weeks.