Kamala Harris has not yet been nominated as the Democratic candidate for the upcoming presidential elections in November, especially following Joe Biden’s withdrawal. However, she faces no significant rivals within the party. This raises the question of who she might choose as her running mate.
The selection of a vice presidential candidate involves various factors, including their influence in key states, appeal to moderate voters and women, and their impact in regions experiencing industrial decline. One prominent name being considered is Josh Shapiro.
The 51-year-old governor of Pennsylvania could help secure votes from his home state for the Democrats. Pennsylvania is often regarded as a swing state, where voters may lean either Democrat or Republican depending on the electoral context. Shapiro is an effective speaker and secured victory in 2022 against a radical right opponent backed by Donald Trump. Prior to this, he served two terms as Pennsylvania’s Attorney General, highlighting issues like sexual abuse by Catholic priests and suing Purdue Pharma, a major contributor to the opioid crisis.
Another potential candidate is Mark Kelly, a 60-year-old senator from Arizona. Arizona is another swing state that Biden narrowly won in 2020. Since his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, survived a shooting in 2011, Kelly has been a staunch advocate for gun control.
Andy Beshear, the 46-year-old governor of Kentucky, is also mentioned. He was re-elected in November while campaigning for abortion rights against a Trump-backed candidate. Despite Trump’s strong performance in Kentucky during the previous elections, Beshear’s moderate stance may attract voters in other crucial states, particularly Pennsylvania and Michigan, which are part of the industrial Midwest.
When asked on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” about the possibility of being a running mate, Beshear noted, “If someone asks you, at least listen.” He also took a jab at JD Vance, who has Trump’s endorsement for the vice presidency.
Roy Cooper, the 67-year-old governor of North Carolina, is another figure in the mix. He leads a pivotal state where Biden lost to Trump by a mere point in 2020. Cooper, who has never lost an election since being elected in 1986, represents a moderate Democrat whose presence could sway centrist voters, especially on issues like abortion rights, which have become increasingly significant in light of recent Supreme Court decisions.
While Cooper declined to comment on rumors of a vice presidential candidacy during an appearance on “Morning Joe,” he emphasized the importance of focusing on Harris.
Other names being floated include Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan, Gavin Newsom from California, Wes Moore of Maryland, JB Pritzker of Illinois, and Tim Walz of Minnesota. There’s also Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of Transportation and a former presidential candidate in 2020, along with Raphael Warnock, the African American senator from Georgia.
Source: https://www.perfil.com/noticias/internacional/a-quien-podria-elegir-kamala-harris-como-candidato-a-la-vicepresidencia.phtml
