Within the next day, it is anticipated that Vice President Kamala Harris will finalize her choice for a running mate and unveil her decision through a video on Tuesday, as informed by people close to the deliberation, according to a report by POLITICO.
During a meeting held at her official residence in Washington on Sunday, Harris is said to have conducted interviews with three primary contenders: Governor Josh Shapiro from Pennsylvania, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota. These individuals are considered the front-runners for Harris’s VP slot. However, several other Democratic leaders such as Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois are reportedly still being considered. There might be virtual meetings with these candidates on Monday, as per some sources.
A vetting committee, under the leadership of ex-Attorney General Eric Holder, has briefed Harris on the VP hopefuls, POLITICO also mentioned. The method by which Harris will make her VP selection public is yet unclear, though some believe it may echo how Biden introduced Harris in a video back in 2020. Harris, who clinched the Democratic presidential nomination recently, plans her first joint appearance with her chosen VP running mate at a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Following President Biden’s exit from the race on July 21 and his endorsement of Harris, she became the Democratic party’s default nominee for the 2024 election. Harris gained the backing of the party’s top brass in replacement of Biden.
Since Biden’s withdrawal, Harris has not engaged in press conferences or responded to media inquiries but has instead continued to use teleprompters at various campaign events. At these events, the vice president aimed to consolidate support within key swing states, including Wisconsin and Georgia.
After the upcoming rally in Philadelphia, Harris and her selected running mate are planning a campaign tour through a series of crucial states – Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. Biden previously won six of these states, with only North Carolina eluding his grasp, in the 2020 election battle against Trump.
