Kamala Harris's VP pick is likely from these 3 Democrats

Having almost secured the Democratic Party’s nomination for the US presidential election, Kamala Harris’s next challenge is to pick a running mate. Reports in the US media suggest that three prominent Democrats have emerged as frontrunners in the race to become Kamala Harris’s running mate for the upcoming presidential election. They have been asked to provide personal information as part of a rigorous vetting process led by a team overseen by former attorney general Eric Holder.

Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania

Josh Shapiro, who assumed office just last year, is swiftly gaining prominence within the Democratic Party. His appeal stems from Pennsylvania’s critical role in recent presidential elections, notably Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump in 2020. Shapiro’s endorsement of Harris underscores his alignment with her vision for the presidency.

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Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina

Roy Cooper governs a state pivotal in both recent presidential contests, initially won by Trump in 2016 and retained in 2020. Cooper has vocally supported Harris, emphasising her stance on issues such as women’s rights and criminal justice reform. His endorsement highlights Harris’s ability to challenge Trump’s policies effectively.

Mark Kelly, Senator from Arizona

Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and US navy captain, represents Arizona, a state at the forefront of national debates on immigration and gun control. His personal narrative, including his wife Gabrielle Giffords’ tragic experience with gun violence, adds a compelling dimension to his candidacy. Kelly’s endorsement of Harris aligns with his advocacy for Democratic priorities on these critical issues.

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Who else and how long it may take to decide

Besides Shapiro, Cooper and Kelly, another name emerged in media reports — Andy Beshear, the governor of Kentucky. Reports indicated that Beshear was also asked to submit vetting information.  

However, he may not be inclined for the job. In one of the earlier interviews, he had told CBS, “I do love my job here in Kentucky…The only reason I’d ever consider something else is if I felt that I can help my people in Kentucky more in a different role or that there was a chance to move past the partisanship, the constant fighting.”

Other names in circulation included Gretchen Whitmer, the twice-elected governor of Michigan. But Whitmer has also been reported as saying that she was “staying in Michigan”.

The running mate decision goes through a vetting process, which normally takes months. However, in this case, it will be accelerated to conclude before the Democratic National Convention (DNC) opens in Chicago on 19 August.