Vice President Kamala Harris is preparing to unveil her new running mate at a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening, keeping the identity of her choice a closely guarded secret until the last minute. Among the potential finalists are Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Harris plans to announce her decision via video message before the rally, a tactic reminiscent of how Joe Biden introduced her as his vice presidential pick during the 2020 election.
The upcoming event in Philadelphia is a significant milestone in Harris’ campaign since taking over the Democratic ticket a mere two weeks ago. She, along with second gentleman Doug Emhoff and her running mate, will kick off their campaign with a rally in Philadelphia, similar to previous joint appearances by presidential candidates and their running mates in past elections.
Following the Philadelphia rally, Harris and her running mate are scheduled to embark on a five-day tour of crucial battleground states, including stops in Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada. The campaign’s itinerary was arranged before the running mate was revealed, a tactic reminiscent of the suspense created by former President Trump during his vice presidential selection process.
Despite the anticipation surrounding Harris’ running mate announcement, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, a potential running mate of former President Trump, plans to overshadow the event with his own campaign events in key states. The Trump campaign has used Vance’s travels to criticize Harris and Democratic policies, setting the stage for a contentious election season ahead.
While Harris’ campaign embraces the competition from Vance and the Trump campaign, they are focused on engaging with voters from various backgrounds, including faith leaders, union members, and local officials. The campaign aims to connect with voters in diverse settings to highlight their platform and engage with communities on a personal level.
The selection of Harris’ running mate has sparked debate and scrutiny, with considerations for Shapiro drawing criticism from certain groups over his stance on international issues. However, Harris also faces pressure from progressives to address concerns related to policy priorities, such as the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
As Harris gears up to announce her running mate, the anticipation and speculation surrounding the event reflect the high stakes of the upcoming election and the political dynamics at play in the current campaign season.
