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Following President Joe Biden’s exit from the 2024 presidential race, and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as his selection for the Democratic nominee, one of many subsequent large questions that’s emerged is who might probably be her operating mate. Although Harris just isn’t the nominee but, Biden’s backing provides her a major 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 enhance the principle 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 number of guesses: Her decide may very well be somebody from a purple or purple state, who presents 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 could be a white man.
Beneath is a rundown of among the doable candidates who could be thought of — and what they’d convey to the ticket.
Who’s he? Cooper, 67, is the governor of North Carolina, a battleground state that Trump gained narrowly in 2020 and 2016 that gives 16 electoral votes (of the 270 wanted to win). He’s recognized 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 scores general. Previous to turning into governor, he served because the state’s lawyer normal and within the state legislature.
What’s the case for him? Cooper might assist enhance Democrats’ probabilities in a battleground state, although it’s going to nonetheless seemingly be an uphill battle given previous contests in North Carolina. He’s additionally been fairly widespread 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, that means they’ve expertise working alongside each other. And extra lately, 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 seemingly battleground state (with 19 Electoral Faculty votes), which Biden gained 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 recognized for his work as lawyer normal, 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 navy 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 celebration enhance their probabilities 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 gained 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 capturing at a financial institution and extreme flooding. Previous to this position, he additionally served as Kentucky’s lawyer normal.
What’s the case for him? Beshear is the uncommon Democrat who has been in a position to win a number of occasions in a purple state, and will supply extra attraction to some swing voters. Along with the help he’s obtained for his management throughout numerous crises, he’s additionally touted infrastructure and personal sector funding within the state throughout his tenure.
Not like different prospects, although, he in all probability wouldn’t enhance Harris’s possibilities of successful his house 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 gained in 2020 and 2016. Earlier than turning into governor, he was a businessman and philanthropist, and is a scion of the household behind Hyatt lodges, 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 handle 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 just isn’t a battleground that may increase the Democratic map.
Who’s he? Kelly is the junior senator of Arizona — a swing state with 11 Electoral Faculty votes — who was elected in 2020 by framing himself as a candidate prepared to work throughout the aisle. Beforehand, Biden gained Arizona in 2020, whereas Clinton misplaced the state in 2016. Kelly can be recognized for his profession as an astronaut alongside his twin brother Scott Kelly, and because the husband of gun management 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 an alternative choice who might assist with attempting to succeed in these voters. Arizona additionally continues to be an essential 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 Faculty votes that Biden gained in 2020 and that Clinton misplaced in 2016.
She’s been a preferred chief on this position, and was initially recognized for a 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 school. Previous to being governor, Whitmer was a member of the state legislature and the primary girl to turn out to be 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 constructive nationwide recognition, and who might assist elevate Democrats’ probabilities in a pivotal swing state. Whitmer has additionally centered 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 might type a groundbreaking all-woman ticket — one thing that neither main celebration 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 turn out to be recognized for his media savvy and powerful tv appearances as an advocate for the Biden-Harris administration. He’s additionally had to reply to 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 aircraft.
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 alternatives, would contribute extra illustration from the Midwest,and will attraction to centrist voters. He’d additionally turn out to be 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 persona. 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 needs to be a fighter for Democrats and has supporters who’re involved in his strategy. He’s additionally used alternatives like a debate in opposition to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to make some splashy factors for the celebration and to get extra consideration, and will do the identical for a doable 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.
Correction, July 21, 2024, 11:59 pm ET: A earlier model of this story misstated Gabby Giffords’s place on weapons. She is a gun management advocate.
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