WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris is gearing up for an upcoming campaign tour alongside her 2024 running mate, whose identity is still under wraps. After a weekend of interviewing potential candidates, Harris must make a decision before embarking on a series of events in crucial battleground states to introduce the Democratic ticket and stress the importance of the upcoming election.
The pace of Harris’s campaign has been rapid since she emerged as a candidate just over two weeks ago following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race. The Democratic National Committee chair announced that Harris had garnered enough support to secure the party’s nomination, with the final acceptance expected Monday night after voting concludes. Recent surveys indicate that around 8 in 10 Democrats would be satisfied with Harris as the Democratic nominee for president.
As the party’s convention approaches, Harris has been conducting expedited vetting of potential running mates, leaving little time for final assessments by supporters and critics of the contenders. Among the individuals Harris has interviewed are Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, alongside other figures like Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Notable support for different candidates has emerged, with some Democrats advocating for Kelly due to his background as a Navy pilot and astronaut, potentially neutralizing criticisms of the administration’s immigration policies. Shapiro also enjoys backing from influential figures like Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. Detractors for Kelly and Shapiro are becoming more vocal as Harris approaches her decision.
Walz, a two-term governor known for implementing progressive policies in Minnesota, is also being considered. Harris and her eventual running mate will kick off a rigorous tour starting in Philadelphia and spanning through Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. The campaign aims to showcase a diverse coalition during the rallies, with appearances from local leaders, religious figures, union members, and Republicans supporting Harris.
In a bid to further broaden support, Harris’s campaign recently launched “Republicans for Harris,” an initiative targeting former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley’s primary voters among Republicans. Campaign strategists acknowledge the importance of maintaining momentum while cautioning about the tight race against Republican nominee Donald Trump. The successful campaign rollout has reinvigorated hope in several states that were deemed challenging under Biden’s candidacy.