Presumed Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris is reportedly developing a concrete list of candidates to choose as her running mate two weeks before the Democratic National Convention.
According to NBC News, Harris’ list of potential running mates has been narrowed down to Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota.
“I think she needs someone who’s moderate, who is clearly a white male, and she needs someone from a border state,” Ashley Etienne, a former communications director for Harris, told NBC News.
“Her choice of a white man gives her racial and gender balance and potentially alienates many of the Nikki Haley supporters, disaffected Republicans and independents. And I think it rounds out this slate and makes it seem fresh and forward-thinking, while also feeling very aware of where we are as a country.”
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Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to swear in Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and his wife, Gabrielle Giffords, at the Old Senate Building on Jan. 3, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Tasos Katpodis/Getty Images)
NBC News reported that the Harris campaign wants to find a candidate who can appeal to the demographics where Biden has garnered the most support, such as older white voters and suburban women. The campaign also reportedly wants a candidate who can appeal to white men who aren’t Trump supporters but are skeptical of Harris.
Cedric Richmond, a former Biden adviser and Louisiana congressman, has also been mentioned as a possible running mate if Harris decides not to choose a white man, NBC News reported.
Many had speculated that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and California Governor Gavin Newsom would also be considered, but both have since withdrawn their names.
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Sen. Mark Kelly, Democrat of Arizona, walks through the Capitol on Sept. 21, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
“If I had to bet, I’d say it’s Mark Kelly,” Etienne said.
Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat running for the Arizona Senate, said Wednesday that Kerry would give Harris a “shock” if she chooses him as her vice president.
Kerry’s Democratic colleagues have spoken highly of him, and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), his 2016 vice presidential nominee, told NBC News that he would be an “excellent” choice for Harris.
Came from Key Arizona Battleground StateKelly could help Harris close western states and lend credibility to a border issue he has described as a “crisis.” Kelly has a compelling life and career as a former Navy pilot and astronaut, and both of his parents were police officers, which could help Democrats fend off Republican attacks that he is too soft on crime.
Kelly is married to former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), who was shot while campaigning with voters in 2011. Giffords cared for her throughout her recovery and continues to do so today. Both are leading advocates for gun reform.
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Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the presidential campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on July 22, 2024. (Erin Shaff/Pool via Reuters)
A major Democratic donor told NBC News that Biden is “ecstatic” to have Harris at the top of his list of potential candidates.
“Vice President Harris has directed her team to begin the selection process for a running mate,” a Harris campaign spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
“That process has begun in earnest and we will not have any additional updates until the Vice President announces who will be his running mate and who will be the next Vice President of the United States.”
Fox News Digital’s Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
