- Harris is securing the nomination.
Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has secured her party's presidential nomination and plans to embark on a campaign tour with a new running mate in the coming days. In an online vote held by the Democratic Party to determine its nominee for the November presidential election, Harris received the necessary majority of delegate votes, the party announced. Harris will thus face off against former Republican President Donald Trump in the November election. In the coming days, the 54-year-old plans to introduce her vice-presidential running mate and embark on a whirlwind tour through the seven most hotly contested states.
Early Nomination
The Democrats had expedited their nomination process for bureaucratic reasons, holding the vote before the start of their national convention in Chicago in mid-August and conducting it digitally. This was due to the deadlines set by the states for parties to confirm their candidates to appear on the ballot.
The vote began on Thursday via an online platform, allowing party delegates from all states to cast their votes. Although the vote continues for several more days, Harris has already secured the necessary majority of the approximately 4,000 delegates. She was the only candidate in the digital vote, making her nomination a formality.
Harris expressed her honor at the nomination, stating, "It won't be easy, but we will get through this together." She added, "I know we are ready for this fight."
Choosing a Running Mate
Now, all eyes are on Harris' choice for a running mate. According to reports from the Washington Post citing sources close to Harris, she plans to hold conversations with potential partners over the weekend and make a decision thereafter. Selecting a running mate in the U.S. presidential election is typically a complex and time-consuming process, but Harris must now do so on an accelerated timeline, as she stepped into the candidacy following the withdrawal of President Joe Biden.
Harris' campaign team has already announced a campaign tour with her new running mate through the seven most contested states: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. These "swing states" are crucial as their outcomes are not predetermined by tradition, making them pivotal in the election. Harris plans to visit these states with her running mate before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from August 19 to 22. Their first joint campaign rally is scheduled for Tuesday evening in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Harris expected to announce her running mate by then.
The following six Democrats are considered top contenders:
- Josh Shapiro: The 51-year-old has been the governor of the swing state of Pennsylvania since 2023, previously serving as the state's attorney general. Relatively new to the national political scene, Shapiro is considered moderate and popular, and has been discussed as a potential candidate for higher office for some time.
The 60-year-old is a former astronaut and has already won the Senate seat in the swing state of Arizona twice - a huge success for the Democrats. Kelly is known to Americans also because he is the husband of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. She fought her way back to life after an assassination attempt in 2011 and is one of the loudest advocates for stricter gun laws.
Tim Walz
The 60-year-old has been Governor of the state of Minnesota since 2019 and served many years as a Representative in the House before that. Before his political career, he was a teacher. The father of two is known for his down-to-earth manner and direct way of conveying political messages, but he doesn't have a strong national profile.
Pete Buttigieg
The 42-year-old made waves in 2020 as a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. Today, he serves as Transportation Secretary in Biden's cabinet, making him the first openly gay Cabinet member in U.S. history. He has distributed large sums of infrastructure investments across the country in recent years. Buttigieg speaks multiple languages, is witty, and has been seen as a rising star in the party for some time.
Andy Beshear
The 46-year-old is Governor of the state of Kentucky, a state that typically votes Republican in presidential elections. Beshear is said to have bipartisan appeal. Before becoming Governor, he served as the state's Attorney General. Beshear's father also served as Governor of Kentucky.
J.B. Pritzker
The 59-year-old is Governor of Illinois, a state that is firmly in Democratic hands. The billionaire comes from a wealthy entrepreneurial family. The lawyer has invested in tech startups and is well-connected within the party, but he is not particularly well-known nationally.
Mark Kelly, the 60-year-old former astronaut from Arizona, has emerged as a strong contender for Kamala Harris' vice-presidential running mate. His popularity in the swing state he represents and his wife Gabrielle Giffords' advocacy for gun control make him an appealing choice.
Should Mark Kelly be selected, the Harris-Kelly ticket would embark on a campaign tour in the seven most contested states, including Pennsylvania, where Josh Shapiro, another potential running mate, serves as governor.
