Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has reportedly narrowed her choice for a vice-presidential running mate to two finalists: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, according to three sources familiar with the situation.
Harris, currently serving as the U.S. Vice President, is expected to announce her decision by Tuesday, just ahead of her first public appearance with her chosen running mate at a rally at Temple University in Philadelphia.
While it’s not yet confirmed whether a final decision has been made, this rally will mark the beginning of a five-day, seven-city tour through key battleground states that are expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming November 5th election.
The search initially focused on six potential candidates, including four governors, a senator, and a cabinet secretary from the Biden administration. Harris conducted final interviews on Sunday with three top contenders: Walz, Shapiro, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, at her Naval Observatory residence.
Kelly added some confusion with a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday night that stated, “Now, my mission is serving Arizonans,” which some interpreted as an indication he was no longer in consideration. The post was later deleted and replaced with, “I’ve learned that when your country asks you to serve, you always answer the call,” fueling further speculation.
Candidates are expected to be informed of Harris’ decision either on Monday night or Tuesday morning, with the campaign planning a social media announcement to introduce the chosen duo.
Harris also met with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Friday and engaged with other candidates virtually. Other contenders for the role included Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
Harris’ search for a running mate became urgent after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed her candidacy. There is no indication that Monday’s market selloff will affect the timing of her announcement.
This decision is considered one of the most significant of Harris’ political career, as she quickly assembles a campaign to challenge Republican nominee Donald Trump and his vice-presidential pick, U.S. Senator JD Vance, in the November election.
The short list consisted of white male candidates with a track record of appealing to rural, white, and independent voters.
Over the weekend, Harris met with her vetting team, including former Attorney General Eric Holder, who led the scrutiny of the finalists’ finances and backgrounds. Holder and his team provided detailed presentations on each candidate.
Harris is considering this decision closely with input from her husband Doug Emhoff, her brother-in-law Tony West, and a select group of aides and advisers.
The upcoming battleground states tour will cover seven cities in five days: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Detroit, Michigan; Durham, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Phoenix, Arizona; and Las Vegas, Nevada. The tour will feature rallies at various venues, including college campuses, historically Black universities, union halls, and restaurants.
Meanwhile, the Harris campaign has launched “Republicans for Harris,” a program aimed at persuading Republican voters to support her candidacy. The program, which highlights endorsements from Republicans such as former Trump White House officials Stephanie Grisham and Olivia Troye, will hold kickoff events in Arizona, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania on Monday.
Harris also secured another union endorsement on Monday, with a hospitality workers’ union praising her consistent support for union workers.
