The race to be Kamala Harris’ running mate has already started.
Moments after President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential contest and endorsed his vice president on Sunday, speculation began swirling over who would be Kamala Harris’ running mate. Some Democrats started floating their preferred picks. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, for instance, “would be an excellent choice” to share the ticket, said Philadelphia Democratic Party chair and former Rep. Bob Brady.
Govs. Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina are both being considered as running mates, according to a person familiar with the conversations. And a Democratic strategist close to the White House said that Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) is also under consideration. The people were granted anonymity to speak freely about the new political dynamic.
“The question is: who can beat Trump in their home state?” said the Democratic strategist close to the White House.
The strategist noted that Kelly, who easily won his reelection in a state Biden carried four years ago, is being eyed for his unique biography, having flown combat missions in the Navy and commanded the International Space Station as an astronaut. His wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, has become a hero to grassroots Democratic organizations fighting gun violence after she was a victim of it at a campaign rally for her reelection. The attack left her severely injured.
“The good thing is she’s got a lot of unbelievable options,” the strategist said of Harris.
A number of names have been floated and all of them spoke out in support of Biden’s decision to step down — and even some are already voicing support of Harris as the nominee.
Here’s a snapshot of potential vice presidential candidates and what they said after Biden’s historic decision on Sunday.
See list here.