Kamala Harris's Likely VP Picks

Not a Done Deal for Dems

Just a few weeks ago, it was looking like the 2024 Presidential elections were a done deal. There was a bunk debate, an assassination attempt on the Republican frontrunner and nominee, a handful of Biden gaffs, a dizzying RNC, the President getting COVID, and donations to Biden coming to a near halt.

Biden Passes the Torch

After the series of cascading events, it looked like things couldn't get much more unsettling for American voters. That's when President Biden dropped out of the race, stating he would not be seeking a second term. Adam Schultz/Biden for President/Flickr

Kamala Quickly Clinched

President Biden offered his support to VP Kamala Harris to become the next Democratic nominee for President. Within days she clinched enough delegates to earn the nomination. Harris immediately broke campaign fundraising records. Joe Biden/Flickr

Now Who?

Now, Harris has to pick her running mate. So, who's being discussed? Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia License

Senator Mark Kelly

Resume Highlights: Navy captain, astronaut, Senator of Arizona
Strengths: Strong fundraising, key swing state, centrist on immigration
Weaknesses: Low name recognition, labor union criticism Gage Skidmore/Flikr

Governor Josh Shapiro

Resume Highlights: Governor of Pennsylvania, former attorney general
Strengths: Bipartisan achievements, high state approval, critical swing state
Weaknesses: Moderate on key Democratic issues, low national recognition Governor Tom Wolf/Wikimedia License

Gov. Andy Beshear

Resume Highlights: Governor of Kentucky, disaster response leader
Strengths: Popular in conservative state, young, term-limited
Weaknesses: Low national recognition, no swing state advantage Tkayne/Wikimedia License

Gov. Roy Cooper

Resume Highlights: Governor of North Carolina, Medicaid expansion
Strengths: Moderate appeal, critical swing state
Weaknesses: Limited campaigning ability, older candidate NC Dept of Public Safety/Flickr

Sec. Pete Buttigieg

Resume Highlights: U.S. Transportation Secretary, former mayor
Strengths: Communication across spectrum, military service, popular among Democrats
Weaknesses: Transportation issues, potential party rival, young and less room to grow Greg Skidmore/Flickr

Gov. J.B. Pritzker

Resume Highlights: Governor of Illinois, progressive policy achievements
Strengths: Wealth, low name recognition allows growth
Weaknesses: Low popularity, richest politician, not a swing state Defense Visual Information Distribution Service/Public Domain

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Resume Highlights: Governor of Michigan, high-profile legislation
Strengths: Popular, high name ID, policy achievements
Weaknesses: Not interested in VP, concerns about all-female ticket Defense Visual Information Distribution Service/Public Domain

Gov. Tim Walz

Resume Highlights: Governor of Minnesota, Democratic Governors Association leader
Strengths: Fundraising connections, progressive lawmaking
Weaknesses: Relatively unpopular, unknown nationwide Office of Governor Tim Walz/Flickr

Clever Rebel

Kamala Harris’s Likely VP Picks