Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign has strongly hinted to donors that the vice president may choose the state’s governor as his running mate, though Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., remains the front-runner.
Behind the scenes, Harris’ campaign is concerned about contribution limits for the sitting governor’s campaign and has been urging donors to disclose their funds early. Axios reported.
Several major donors from the financial industry were reportedly under the impression that the deadline to write the checks remained until Sunday.
Harris, 59, is due to campaign as the vice presidential candidate next Tuesday and rally with the candidate in Philadelphia. According to Politico.
Most of the names dominating vice presidential rumors are governors, including Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Tim Walz of Minnesota.
However, the Securities and Exchange Commission Pay to Play Rules for financial institutions that limit contributions to state and local campaigns and politicians for whom they can provide services.
In other words, the rules are intended to prevent key executives of financial institutions from donating to state and local politicians who may control significant assets such as pension funds.
The rule also applies to sitting state government officials if they run for federal office.
Institutions subject to the rule include asset management companies and certain banks.
“Any reports regarding developments or updates regarding VP Harris’ running mate search are premature and speculative. VP Harris is considering a number of qualified candidates,” a campaign spokesperson told The Post.
“There will be no 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,” the official added.
Questions remain about the extent to which SEC rules apply to PACs.
Harris’ campaign boasted an astounding $200 million in fundraising, less than a week after President Biden decided to hand the baton over to her.
Harris told reporters on Tuesday that she has not “yet” decided on a running mate, and there are rumors that she will begin interviews this week in preparation for the big decision.
Her shortlist is rumored to include at least two non-governors: Kelly and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Kelly, 60, has been attracting particular attention from Democratic strategists who say he could help mitigate some of Harris’ electoral disadvantage over the border crisis.
Kelly, a native of the border state of Arizona, has been quite outspoken on the issue, which polls commonly rank as a top concern for Biden voters.
Biden, 81, had tapped Harris to tackle the root causes of the migrant crisis early in his administration, prompting Republicans to denounce her as a “failed border secretary.”
Arizona Senator Publicly criticizing Biden President Trump has passed legislation in the past to ban the deportation of immigrants who cross the border illegally, including a decision to lift Title 42, a policy that allowed for the quick deportation of people who crossed the border illegally during the pandemic era.
Kelly also repeatedly urged the administration to crack down, and the Biden administration has sometimes noticed. In one example So troops moved to finish a section of the border wall in southwest Arizona.
The Grand Canyon State Democrat is seen by party officials as having the ability to win in battleground states where the border issue is particularly crucial.
“Democrats are very good at winning statewide elections in Arizona. We understand this. We have a strong state party.” he told reporters. Asked whether his running for vice president could jeopardize Democrats’ control of Arizona’s Senate seat, he said:
“I don’t think it’s going to be an issue. I think there are other great candidates in the Democratic Party, but this isn’t about me,” he added.
