Ahead of her excursion next week, Vice President Kamala Harris has been assembly with feasible jogging buddies. Among the individuals who traveled to Washington, D.C., for talks were Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Mark Kelly, and Governor Tim Walz. The Democratic VP’s list is down to 5 applicants, but it is doubtful if others, including Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear or Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, are in play.
Key contenders include:
Josh Shapiro:
- Strengths: High approval ratings since his election in 2022. It could help Harris win over Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state.
Mark Kelly:
- Background: Former Navy pilot and NASA astronaut.
- Strengths: An outspoken advocate for gun safety who takes a hard stance on the border, which could appeal to independent and conservative voters.
Tim Walz:
- Background: Served 12 years in Congress before becoming governor in 2019.
- Strengths: Gained national attention for his unorthodox strategy against Donald Trump and JD Vance.
Upcoming Decisions
- Timeline: A decision on the vice-presidential running mate is expected before the Democratic National Convention that starts August 19 in Chicago.
- Support: The United Auto Workers union favors Andy Beshear because of his strong labor support, but Tim Walz also has significant union backing.
Campaign Context
Polls show Harris leading Donald Trump by one point nationally, but the race is tight in battleground states. Trump still holds a slight lead in Wisconsin, Georgia, and North Carolina.
Democratic Base: Young people have been energized again due to Harris’ candidacy, which brought enthusiasm back into the election among Black women voters.
Controversies surrounding Trump’s recent comments questioning her racial identity have drawn significant backlash. Her mother was born Indian while her father was Jamaican; she identifies as both Indian American & Black.
Political Reactions
Lindsey Graham advises Trump to stick only to policy differences instead of mentioning heritage.
Laphonza Butler condemned these remarks, calling them despicable and emphasizing how proud Harris is of herself and how she always embraces every part of herself.
President Joe Biden discussed with Harris the qualities to look for in a candidate. Biden stated, “I’ll let her work that out.” Potential partners will face a rigorous vetting process, answering up to two hundred questions before being seriously considered.
As the campaign moves forward, Kamala Harris will eventually visit battleground states where they will promote a democratic platform rallying votes amid an intensively contested electoral environment. Selecting a running mate would be pivotal in shaping the democratic ticket strategy appeal during the upcoming presidential elections.
