These are the potential deputies for Kamala Harris
*President Joe Biden's decision to give up his reelection bid and support Vice President Kamala Harris raises an important and immediate decision for Harris: Who should she choose as her running mate?
Andy Beshear
The democratic governor of Kentucky looks back on a successful political career in a strongly republican-leaning federal state, which voted for Republican Donald Trump in 2020 with more than 25 percentage points. Beshear has advocated for bringing jobs to Kentucky, promoting public education, and improving healthcare access. As governor, he vetoed laws that banned abortion and gender-affirming surgeries for transgender youth, despite being overruled by the republican-dominated legislature.
Pete Buttigieg
The US Transportation Secretary built a strong following among Democratic voters during the primary campaign in 2020 against Biden and Harris. Buttigieg, who is seen as a skilled advocate for Biden's policies, supported him subsequently and was appointed to the new administration's cabinet in 2021. The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, also has close ties to Michigan, a crucial state for the Democrats in November.
Roy Cooper
The governor of North Carolina is praised by Democrats for his strong focus on economic development and his ability to achieve relatively high approval ratings in a politically contested, republican-leaning state. North Carolina voted for Trump in both 2016 and 2020.
Mark Kelly
The US Senator from Arizona is respected by the Democratic party elite because he strikes moderate tones in a traditionally more republican-leaning state that Biden won in 2020. Kelly, a former US Marine and astronaut, is also the husband of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was severely injured in an attack in 2011. Gun control is a key campaign issue for the Democrats.
Josh Shapiro
The governor of Pennsylvania is only in office for a year. Shapiro is already an emerging star in the Democratic Party on a national level. The trained lawyer was the Attorney General of the state and thus has a similar legal background to Harris as a prosecutor. Shapiro could help the Democrats win the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania. Currently, in polls, Trump is leading there with several percentage points.
J.B. Pritzker
The billionaire and governor of the strongly democratic US state of Illinois has proven to be an influential figure within the party. Pritzker, whose family owns the Hyatt Hotels chain, used his own financial resources to support Biden's campaign. He also announced in the aftermath of Biden's withdrawal that he would support Harris.
Gretchen Whitmer*
Monday: MonatagTuesday: DienstagWednesday: MittwochThursday: DonnerstagFriday: FreitagSaturday: SamstagSunday: Sonntag**
The governor has built a strong base in the fiercely contested state of Michigan and focuses on everyday issues. She was considered a potential vice-candidate for 2020 before Biden chose Harris. Whitmer is one of Biden's most prominent supporters in his re-election campaign. According to media reports, she will not run as a candidate for the US Presidential Election after Biden's withdrawal. She was considered a potential replacement candidate for Biden. A ticket with Harris would be the first all-female duo of a major US party. Experts see an advantage in this, as women's rights, particularly reproductive rights, are among the key issues of the upcoming elections.
Joe Biden's announcement to not seek reelection for the United States Presidency Election 2024 leaves the Democrats with a significant choice for their vice presidential candidate. Given her potential, many are speculating if Vice President Kamala Harris might consider Governor Gretchen Whitmer as her running mate, given Whitmer's strong support within the Democratic Party and her focus on women's rights, which is a key issue in the upcoming elections.
During the United States Presidency Election 2024, potential Democratic candidates like Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona could play a significant role in reclaiming the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania and winning back Arizona, respectively, two states Republican Donald Trump won in 2020.
