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US Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, will interview six potential running mates this weekend before she makes a formal announcement and goes on a battleground tour with her new vice presidential pick next week, according to two people with knowledge of Harris's selection process.
According to Harris's interview list, the six people are Governors Andy Beshear of Kentucky, JB Pritzker of Illinois, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Tim Walz of Minnesota, and Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the people quoted above said on condition of anonymity.
Harris will hold her first rally with her new vice presidential nominee on August 6 in Philadelphia, according to sources.
As part of the Vice President's truncated selection process, Shapiro and Kelly had been seen as among the front-runners. The selection process has been ongoing, initially involving around a dozen candidates.
However, some individuals have since withdrawn from consideration, including North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, who cited concerns about the demands of national campaigning and frequent travel out of state.
Several individuals on Harris's shortlist have made last-minute changes to their weekend plans, sparking speculation about developments in the selection process.
For instance, Shapiro cancelled three fundraising events in Long Island, New York, leading some to believe that this might be a sign that he is being seriously considered for the vice presidential position.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden had been involved in discussions with Harris regarding her search for a running mate. However, he chose not to offer specific advice, saying, "I'll let her work that out."
On July 21, Biden withdrew himself from the presidential race after growing pressure from fellow Democrats over his age and mental fitness concerns following a disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump in June. The same day, Biden endorsed Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee.
The video showed several Philadelphia-area officials and Democrats supporting Harris for president but also calling for Shapiro to be named the vice presidential nominee, giving rise to speculation that Parker could have inside details about Harris's decision.
However, a person, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Parker was showing her support for both Harris and Shapiro, saying the mayor had high hopes that Shapiro would be the vice presidential nominee.
Meanwhile, Harris secured enough Democratic delegate votes to become the party's nominee for president, Democratic Committee Chair Jaime Harrison said on Friday. She is set to be the first woman of colour at the top of a major party's ticket.
The Democratic Convention will be held in Chicago from August 19 to 22. The presidential election will be held on November 5.
(with inputs from The Associated Press)
Published By:
Prateek Chakraborty
Published On:
Aug 3, 2024
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