Following President Joe Biden’s exit from the 2024 presidential race, and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as his alternative for the Democratic nominee, one of many subsequent massive questions that’s emerged is who might probably be her operating mate. Although Harris isn’t the nominee but, Biden’s backing provides her a big enhance forward of different potential contenders, fueling hypothesis about who else might be a part of the ticket.
Traditionally, vice presidents have been chosen to enrich the primary candidate. Biden selected Harris as a result of she would convey youth, variety, and authorized expertise. And former President Donald Trump selected Vice President Mike Pence as a result of he was a standard conservative and supplied legislative experience that he didn’t have.
What would possibly Harris search for? Primarily based on that historical past, there are a couple of guesses: Her decide could possibly be somebody from a purple or purple state, who provides geographic variety given her roots in California. And — to assuage voters who nonetheless maintain sexist or racist attitudes, as President Barack Obama did with Biden in 2008 — it is perhaps a white man.
Under is a rundown of among the attainable candidates who is perhaps thought-about — and what they’d convey to the ticket.
Who’s he? Cooper, 67, is the governor of North Carolina, a battleground state that Trump received narrowly in 2020 and 2016 that provides 16 electoral votes (of the 270 wanted to win). He’s identified for successful repeatedly statewide whilst different Democratic candidates have struggled to do the identical for roles just like the Senate.
As governor, he’s additionally vetoed Republican payments on abortion and weapons, and has sturdy approval rankings general. Previous to turning into governor, he served because the state’s legal professional common and within the state legislature.
What’s the case for him? Cooper might assist enhance Democrats’ possibilities in a battleground state, although it would nonetheless probably be an uphill battle given previous contests in North Carolina. He’s additionally been fairly well-liked in his position, and has secured backing from some moderates and Republicans.
He beforehand collaborated with Harris whereas they every served as their states’ AG, which means they’ve expertise working alongside each other. And extra not too long ago, Harris and Cooper have campaigned collectively within the wake of Biden’s disastrous June debate, throughout which the governor cautioned in opposition to the return of “Donald Trump’s America.”
Who’s he? Shapiro, 51, is the governor of Pennsylvania, one other probably battleground state (with 19 Electoral School votes), which Biden received in 2020 and which former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton misplaced in 2016.
He was elected in 2022, the identical 12 months that freshman Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) was elected to the Senate. Shapiro ran far forward of Fetterman, successful 57 % of the vote, to Fetterman’s 51 %. Shapiro has established himself as a average who helped negotiate bipartisan offers when he was within the state legislature, and can be identified for his work as legal professional common, when he secured settlements for victims of sexual abuse by the Catholic Diocese. He’s additionally been a vocal supporter of Israel amid the nation’s devastating army offensive in Gaza, following Hamas’ brutal October 7 assault.
What’s the case for him? Like Cooper, he’s the favored Democratic governor of a swing state and will assist the get together enhance their possibilities there. He’s additionally seen as extra of a centrist who might attraction to average voters and independents, although his staunch backing of Israel might flip away progressive Democrats.
Who’s he? Beshear, 46, is the governor of Kentucky, and has received twice in a purple state that beforehand overwhelmingly voted for Trump.
As governor, he’s been praised for his dealing with of the Covid-19 pandemic in addition to a number of crises within the state, together with a mass taking pictures at a financial institution and extreme flooding. Previous to this position, he additionally served as Kentucky’s legal professional common.
What’s the case for him? Beshear is the uncommon Democrat who has been capable of win a number of instances in a purple state, and will supply extra attraction to some swing voters. Along with the help he’s acquired for his management throughout varied crises, he’s additionally touted infrastructure and personal sector funding within the state throughout his tenure.
Not like different prospects, although, he most likely wouldn’t enhance Harris’s possibilities of successful his residence state, which is solidly GOP.
Who’s he? J.B. Pritzker, 59, is the governor of Illinois, a Democratic state that Biden and Clinton each received in 2020 and 2016. Earlier than turning into governor, he was a businessman and philanthropist, and is a scion of the household behind Hyatt motels, who’ve additionally been constant and influential Democratic donors.
As governor, Pritzker has established a modest nationwide profile, together with remarks he’s given attacking Trump and calls he’s made for extra federal sources to deal with immigration in Illinois.
What’s the case for him? Pritzker has already constructed some identify recognition as a fixture on cable information, and has confirmed to be a vocal Trump antagonist. Pritzker’s private wealth might additionally probably be a boon to the marketing campaign, although his personal state isn’t a battleground that will develop the Democratic map.
Who’s he? Kelly is the junior senator of Arizona — a swing state with 11 Electoral School votes — who was elected in 2020 by framing himself as a candidate keen to work throughout the aisle. Beforehand, Biden received Arizona in 2020, whereas Clinton misplaced the state in 2016. Kelly can be identified for his profession as an astronaut alongside his twin brother Scott Kelly, and because the husband of gun rights advocate and former US Rep. Gabby Giffords.
What’s the case for him? Kelly has the next profile than among the different names on this record, and is revered each for his scientific experience and contributions as an astronaut along with his time within the Senate. He’s been a distinguished gun management advocate alongside Giffords and made pushing these insurance policies a precedence.
Given his efforts to attraction to each Republicans and independents in Arizona, he’d be another choice who might assist with attempting to achieve these voters. Arizona additionally continues to be an vital battleground this time round, together with in its Senate race.
Who’s she? Whitmer, 52, is the governor of Michigan, a key swing state with 15 Electoral School votes that Biden received in 2020 and that Clinton misplaced in 2016.
She’s been a well-liked chief on this position, and was initially identified for the way a lot she emphasised infrastructure and “fixing the rattling roads.” Since then she’s been an outspoken advocate for abortion rights, and for gender fairness, talking brazenly about how she was sexually assaulted in faculty. Previous to being governor, Whitmer was a member of the state legislature and the primary lady to change into the Democratic chief of the state Senate.
What’s the case for her? She’s among the many members of the record who’ve sturdy and optimistic nationwide recognition, and who might assist elevate Democrats’ possibilities in a pivotal swing state. Whitmer has additionally targeted on points together with infrastructure and well being care, which might broaden Democrats’ attraction to average voters. And if Harris and Whitmer had been on the identical ticket, they’d kind a groundbreaking all-woman ticket — one thing that neither main get together has run earlier than.
Who’s he? Buttigieg, 42, is the secretary of Transportation who rose to prominence as a former 2020 presidential candidate. He’s staked out extra average positions, and was beforehand mayor of South Bend, Indiana.
He’s change into identified for his media savvy and robust tv appearances as an advocate for the Biden-Harris administration. He’s additionally had to answer crises together with the practice accident and chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio, in addition to the Alaska Airways mishap when a door plug dropped out of a airplane.
What’s the case for him? Buttigieg has been a powerful spokesperson for the Biden-Harris White Home and is well-established among the many Democratic citizens. He’s among the many youngest of choices, would contribute extra illustration from the Midwest,and will attraction to centrist voters. He’d additionally change into the primary brazenly LGBTQ particular person to be on a presidential ticket.
Who’s he? Newsom, 56, is the governor of California, and a longstanding political character. He’s been a vocal advocate for extra progressive insurance policies, and for Democrats to extra instantly confront Republicans.
Previous to being governor, he was additionally lieutenant governor and mayor of San Francisco.
What’s the case for him? Newsom has already made clear that he desires to be a fighter for Democrats and has supporters who’re fascinated by his strategy. He’s additionally used alternatives like a debate in opposition to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to make some splashy factors for the get together and to get extra consideration, and will do the identical for a attainable marketing campaign.
As governor of California, nevertheless, he wouldn’t convey extra geographic variety to the ticket, and he additionally wouldn’t assist with delivering a swing state, as his personal is solidly Democratic.
