Harris seems to be narrowing the vice search to two men.
The announcement of Kamala Harris' vice-presidential candidate is eagerly awaited. There are six candidates in the running, but insiders suggest that two are now in the lead. However, one particular Democrat seems to have the highest chances for the position.
Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Kamala Harris has reportedly narrowed down her search for a vice-presidential candidate to two men, according to insiders. The frontrunners are said to be Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, as reported by three sources familiar with the matter to Reuters.
Observers consider this decision one of Harris' most important leading up to the presidential election on November 5th. The vice-presidential candidate should ideally appeal to voter segments that may not strongly resonate with Harris herself - a woman, and a black and Asian American. Therefore, insiders report that Harris' shortlist consists exclusively of white men capable of winning rural, white, or independent voters.
The 51-year-old Shapiro is a rising Democratic politician with high approval ratings in Pennsylvania. The state, with its 19 electoral votes, is considered crucial for both Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump to win the election in November. Shapiro is a former attorney general and would be the first Jewish vice-president in U.S. history. As a strong supporter of Israel, he could potentially alienate some voters while appealing to others.
Walz, a former soldier and teacher, has proven his ability to appeal to rural, white voters as a former congressman from a predominantly Republican district. The 60-year-old has also advocated for initiatives like free school meals and expanded paid leave for workers. Minnesota is likely to vote Democrat, and it borders other crucial swing states, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Meetings with Shapiro, Kelly, and Walz
Before announcing her running mate for the November election, Harris reportedly met with potential candidates. According to the "New York Times" and other U.S. media outlets, the 59-year-old held meetings in Washington over the weekend with Walz from Minnesota and Shapiro from Pennsylvania, as well as Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona.
Initially, chances were given to three other men besides Shapiro, Kelly, and Walz: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Harris secured the Democratic presidential nomination on Friday after receiving the necessary majority of delegate votes in an online party convention. The vote ends on Tuesday night, and Harris is expected to wait until then to announce her vice-presidential decision. The exact timing of the announcement is still uncertain.
The first joint appearance of Harris and her running mate is expected on Tuesday evening (local time) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Afterwards, the duo plans to travel through the seven most contested swing states: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. A scheduled stop in Savannah, Georgia, was cancelled due to Hurricane "Debby."
Shapiro is expected to be present at the announcement.
Pennsylvania, with 20 electoral votes, is the most crucial swing state. Shapiro is given great chances to become Harris' running mate due to this. The 51-year-old has been Pennsylvania's governor since 2023 and will definitely be present at the Philadelphia convention. Prior to this, Shapiro served as the state's attorney general. He is relatively new to the national political stage, is considered moderate, and is quite popular. He has been seen as a potential candidate for higher office for some time. However, some left-wing forces in the party find him too conservative on key issues.
Choosing a running mate in a U.S. presidential campaign is typically a complex and time-consuming process, but this time it must be rushed due to Harris' late entry into the race following President Joe Biden's withdrawal. She will face Trump in the election on November 5.
In light of the upcoming US presidential election of 2024, political analysts are closely watching Kamala Harris' choice of vice-presidential candidate, given her late entry into the race after President Biden's withdrawal.
As reported by various sources, potential candidates such as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz are currently leading the race for the position, making their selection crucial for Harris' campaign success.
