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2024 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection

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2024 Democratic vice presidential nomination
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Nominee Tim Walz
Home state Minnesota
Previous Vice Presidential nominee

Kamala Harris

 Vice Presidential nominee

Tim Walz

2024 U.S. presidential election
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This article is part of
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Kamala Harris
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27th District Attorney of San Francisco
32nd Attorney General of California
U.S. Senator from California
49th Vice President of the United States
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Kamala Harris's signature

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 2024, considered several prominent individuals before selecting Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate on August 6.[1] Harris and Walz were certified as the official nominees that evening by Democratic National Committee secretary Jason Rae.[2] Walz is the first sitting Democratic governor to be picked as a vice presidential nominee since Charles W. Bryan of Nebraska in 1924[3] and if elected, would be the third vice president from Minnesota after Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale.[4]

The Harris–Walz ticket will face the Trump–Vance ticket in the general election.

Background

[edit]

During Joe Biden's re-election campaign, Kamala Harris was presumed the Democratic Party nominee for a second term as Vice President of the United States. Biden competed in the Democratic presidential primaries facing only token opposition and became the presumptive nominee on March 12. However, amidst concerns about his age and ability to serve as president, Biden withdrew from the election on July 21, and endorsed Harris to replace him as the presidential nominee. Harris launched her own presidential campaign that same day and became the presumptive nominee the following day.

Selection process

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Harris secured enough delegate support to become the presumptive nominee on July 22.[5] Her campaign's vetting process for potential running mates was conducted by Eric Holder, the former U.S. Attorney General under President Barack Obama, along with his law firm Covington & Burling[6] and Dana Remus, formerly President Biden's White House counsel.[7]

Harris was the only qualified candidate, with a virtual roll call vote taking place from August 1 until August 5.[8]

On August 2, The New York Times reported that former Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Elizabeth M. Allen would lead Harris's running mate team and begin serving as their chief of staff the following day.[9]

The Harris campaign conducted polling and focus groups on the candidates and found that all three finalists could help her win.[10]

Announcement

[edit]

Politico reported on July 30 that Harris planned to hold a rally with her running mate choice in Philadelphia on August 6, raising speculation that the pick was the governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro; however, a campaign aide for Harris cautioned against causing speculation behind Philadelphia being chosen as the venue for the rally.[11] The New York Times reported that Harris was expected to make an announcement on her running mate choice hours before the Philadelphia rally.[12] On the morning of August 6, awaiting Harris's decision, the United States Secret Service said it was ready to swiftly provide security to whomever the running mate was.[13]

Later on August 6, Harris chose Walz.[13]

Vetting process and developments

[edit]

An official reported to ABC News on July 23 that Kelly and Shapiro were the leading candidates,[14] while another source told Talking Points Memo the following day that Roy Cooper was an additional top choice.[15] On July 23, the Financial Times reported that Cooper, Kelly, and Shapiro had become the frontrunners, with donors preferring Cooper or Shapiro and "Hollywood Democrats" backing Kelly.[16]

On July 24, The New York Times reported that Walz was also "under serious consideration".[17]

On July 26, The Washington Post reported that Cooper, Kelly and Shapiro were at the top of Harris's shortlist according to people close to the campaign.[18] MSNBC also reported that the three frontrunners were reportedly at the top of a shortening list.[19] Bloomberg News, however, reported on July 27 that Kelly, Shapiro, and Walz were the three finalists.[20] On July 28, USA Today reported Andy Beshear as "one of the most prominent potential running mates" being vetted by the Harris campaign.[21] On July 29, CNBC reported that Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was on the shortlist as Harris's running mate.[22] On July 29, The New York Times reported Cooper had voluntarily withdrawn his name from consideration.[23]

As of July 29, 2024, Andy Beshear, Mark Kelly, Josh Shapiro, and Tim Walz were reported to be on Harris's shortlist by various media outlets.[24][25][26]

On July 30, The Hill reported that several progressive leaders and political groups urged Harris to pick Beshear or Walz as her running mate over Shapiro as an attempt to consolidate key voting groups and the Democratic base.[27] Politico reported on July 30 that Harris planned on interviewing potential running mates in the following days.[11]

The Hill also reported on July 30 that while Harris had not yet finalized her running mate choice, she planned on campaigning with her eventual choice in several battleground states the following week.[28] That same day, CBS News reported that Harris will start interviewing her shortlist candidates as early as the next day, with Beshear, Buttigieg, Kelly, Shapiro and Walz being cited as the campaign's 'top tier' list.[29] However, a report from CNN on the same day cited Kelly, Shapiro and Walz as "top contenders" while people close to the selection process stated that Beshear and Buttigieg were not top contenders despite being "in conversation".[30]

On August 1, NBC News reported that the Harris campaign's vetting team had formally met with six finalists, Beshear, Buttigieg, Kelly, Shapiro, Walz, and Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker.[12][31] Pritzker had previously denied receiving vetting materials in July;[32] however, towards the end of the month it was reported he had undergone two vetting interviews.[33] That same day, Bloomberg News and Politico reported that Harris's vetting team had met privately with Kelly and Shapiro.[34] The New York Times reported that day that the vetting process, led by Eric Holder, was completed.[12] That same report found that out of the six finalists, Shapiro, Kelly and Walz were considered to be top contenders while acknowledging that Beshear, Buttigieg and Pritzker were part of the six finalists that Harris had narrowed down to.[12] On August 4, Harris interviewed Shapiro, Kelly, and Walz in person at the Number One Observatory Circle, as finalists. Following this, on August 5, it was reported the selection narrowed down to Walz and Shapiro.[35] However, Harris didn't decide on August 5, deciding to "sleep on it" and inform her running mate in the morning.[36] On August 6, Harris chose Walz.[37]

Finalists

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On August 4, USA Today reported that the two finalists were Walz and Shapiro.[35]

Shortlist

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On August 1, NBC News and The New York Times reported that the final shortlist included Andy Beshear, Pete Buttigieg, Mark Kelly, J. B. Pritzker, Josh Shapiro and Tim Walz.[12][31]

Formally vetted

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The following candidates either reportedly received vetting materials from the Harris campaign on July 23, 2024, or were reportedly being considered.[42][43][44] Despite being listed as a serious contender, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer stated on July 29 that she never received any vetting materials and declined to be considered, preferring to serve the remainder of her term.[45][46]

Media speculation on possible candidates

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The following were individuals speculated to be in consideration as the running mate of the new presidential nominee, but were not reported to have been vetted or otherwise seriously considered.

Members of Congress

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Governors

[edit]

Declined to be considered

[edit]

The following were noted by media as potential running mates, but either publicly or privately withdrew their names from consideration. Some media outlets said that Whitmer was being vetted, but she denied this and declined to be considered.

Analysis

[edit]

The selection was described by The New York Times as a proxy war between progressive and moderate Democrats. Progressive activists accused Shapiro and Kelly of being too conservative, specifically on labor issues and the Israel–Hamas war, therefore backing Walz. Moderates defended Shapiro, accusing progressives of antisemitism in their attacks. Both sides seemingly accepted Beshear.[59] An opinion piece in USA Today said that not picking Shapiro would signal support for a progressive platform, and one in The Guardian said picking Shapiro would signal moderation.[60][61]

Endorsements

[edit]
Andy Beshear
Notable Individuals
Mark Kelly
Political parties
Josh Shapiro
Governors
Local officials
Political parties
Tim Walz
U.S. Senators
U.S. Representatives
  • Nancy Pelosi, CA-11 (1987–present), Speaker of the House of Representatives (2007–2011; 2019–2023), House Minority Leader (2003–2007; 2011–2019)[68]
Individuals

Opinion polling

[edit]
Vice presidential polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[b]
Andy Beshear
Pete Buttigieg
Roy Cooper
Mark Kelly
Wes Moore
J. B. Pritzker
Josh Shapiro
Gretchen Whitmer
Others
Undecided
YouGov July 29–31, 2024 1,127 (A) 5% 12% 1% 16% – 2% 8% 5% 18%[c] 34%
Leger July 26–28, 2024 301 (A) 7% 11% 8% 10% 2% 4% 18% – – 41%
NPR/PBS News/Marist National July 22–23, 2024 1,309 (LV) 6% 21% 8% 13% 6% 7% 17% 21% – –
SurveyUSA/FairVote July 8–10, 2024 2,050 (LV) 3% 20% 3% – – 5% 14% 19% 12%[d] 19%

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Buttigieg served as the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012 to 2020 and was a resident of Indiana during his 2020 presidential campaign. He changed his residency to Michigan in 2022 and voted there in that year's midterm elections.[38][39][40]
  2. ^ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  3. ^ Includes Gavin Newsom on 6%, Tim Walz on 5%, Raphael Warnock on 2%
  4. ^ Includes Amy Klobuchar on 5%, Jared Polis on 3%, and Jamie Raskin on 5%

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Parnes, Amie; Samuels, Brett; Conradis, Brandon (August 6, 2024). "Harris picks Walz for vice president". The Hill. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  2. ^ Nazzaro, Miranda (August 6, 2024). "Harris, Walz officially certified as Democratic nominees for president, vice president". The Hill. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  3. ^ Goldstein, Joel (August 9, 2024). "In Passing on a Swing State VP, Harris Makes a Pick That Fits Recent History". Center For Politics. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  4. ^ Staff, Intelligencer (August 6, 2024). "Tim Walz Has Won the Harris Veepstakes: Live Updates, Analysis". Intelligencer. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  5. ^ Gambino, Lauren (July 23, 2024). "Kamala Harris earns enough delegate support to become Democratic nominee". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Mason, Jeff; Renshaw, Jarrett (July 22, 2024). "Former attorney general Holder to vet Harris' potential running mates". Reuters. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  7. ^ "Pritzker sees the writing on the Walz — calls Minnesota governor chosen for VP slot 'kind and decent human being'". WBEZ Chicago. August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  8. ^ Navarro, Aaron (July 24, 2024). "Kamala Harris closer to being nominee as DNC approves early virtual roll call vote". CBS News. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  9. ^ "Senior U.S. Diplomat Will Lead Kamala Harris's Running Mate's Team". The New York Times. August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  10. ^ Goldmacher, Shane; Rogers, Katie; Epstein, Reid J.; Glueck, Katie (August 7, 2024). "How Kamala Harris Trusted Her Gut and Picked Tim Walz". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Otterbein, Holly; Daniels, Eugene (July 30, 2024). "Harris to hold first rally with running mate Tuesday in Philadelphia". Politico. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Vetting of Harris V.P. Picks Is Said to Be Complete". The New York Times. August 1, 2024. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Harris to name her VP running mate". cnn.com. CNN. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  14. ^ Hutzler, Alexandra; Reinstein, Julia; Peller, Lauren; El-Bawab, Nadile; Sarnoff, Leah; Pereira, Ivan (July 23, 2024). "Josh Shapiro and Mark Kelly said to be leading VP candidates for Harris". ABC News. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  15. ^ Walker, Hunter (July 24, 2024). "The Petestakes: Everyone's Clamoring For The Empty Seat At Harris' Table". Talking Points Memo. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  16. ^ "Shapiro, Kelly and Cooper frontrunners to be Harris's running mate, say donors". Financial Times. Archived from the original on July 24, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  17. ^ Lerer, Lisa; Glueck, Katie (July 24, 2024). "What's More Exciting Than a Veepstakes? A Surprise Veepstakes". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  18. ^ Svitek, Patrick; Pager, Tyler; Diamond, Dan (July 26, 2024). "Harris embarks on sprint to find Democratic running mate". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  19. ^ "Search for Kamala Harris' vice presidential running mate narrows with three top options". MSNBC. Archived from the original on July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  20. ^ "Kamala Harris Focuses on Three Potential Running Mate Candidates". Bloomberg.com. July 27, 2024. Archived from the original on July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  21. ^ "Andy Beshear, one of Kamala Harris' potential VP picks, makes campaign stop in pivotal swing state". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  22. ^ "Harris VP short list stacked with contenders who can raise big money". CNBC. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  23. ^ a b Goldmacher, Shane; Epstein, Reid J. (July 29, 2024). "Roy Cooper Is Said to Withdraw From Harris's Vice-Presidential Field". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Rahman, Khaleda (July 19, 2024). "Kamala Harris running mate: Two candidates reportedly rule themselves out". Newsweek. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  25. ^ "A few people are in the running to be VP if Harris becomes the presidential nominee". 90.5 WESA. July 21, 2024. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  26. ^ Doherty, Erin (July 22, 2024). "Who could be Kamala Harris' vice presidential pick". Axios. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  27. ^ "Progressives urge Harris to consider Beshear, Walz for VP, not Shapiro". The Hill. July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  28. ^ "Harris says she hasn't chosen her running mate yet but is expected to travel with them next week". July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  29. ^ "Kamala Harris focusing on final contenders for her VP pick, sources say". CBS News. July 30, 2024. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  30. ^ "Harris nears vice presidential announcement as her team tests out top contenders". CNN. July 30, 2024. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  31. ^ a b "Harris campaign has met with 6 potential VP picks as the selection process nears its end". NBC News. August 1, 2024. Archived from the original on August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  32. ^ Kapos, Shia (July 23, 2024). "Pritzker says he hasn't received vice presidential vetting material". Politico. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  33. ^ "J.B. Pritzker had 2 vetting interviews for Vice President this week". WIFR. August 1, 2024. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  34. ^ "Harris interviewing VP finalists, decision coming in days". USA Today. August 1, 2024. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  35. ^ a b Bose, Nandita. "Kamala Harris' running mate choice narrows to Tim Walz, Josh Shapiro, sources say". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  36. ^ "Picking a running mate: Inside the 16 days between Kamala Harris' launch and her choice of Tim Walz". Associated Press. August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  37. ^ "Five things to know about Tim Walz". Associated Press. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  38. ^ Spangler, Todd (July 8, 2022). "Pete Buttigieg now calls Michigan home, plans to vote in midterms". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  39. ^ Kilgore, Ed (July 8, 2022). "Ex-Mayor Pete Leaves South Bend for Michigan". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  40. ^ Timotija, Filip (March 19, 2024). "Buttigieg: 'I don't know if I'll run for office again or not'". The Hill. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  41. ^ a b c d e Dorn, Sara (July 21, 2024). "Kamala Harris' Running Mate: Here's Who Could Be Her VP After Biden Drops Out And Endorses Her". Forbes. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  42. ^ Roche, Darragh (July 23, 2024). "Kamala Harris' running mate selection narrows: Report". Newsweek. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  43. ^ "Reports: Gov. Andy Beshear one of four candidates being vetted by Harris campaign". whas11.com. July 23, 2024. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  44. ^ Irvine, Bethany (July 24, 2024). "Playbook PM: Wray shares new details about Trump shooter". Politico. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  45. ^ a b "Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: I have not been vetted as Kamala Harris' running mate". People. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  46. ^ a b "Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she's "not a part of the vetting" for Harris' VP pick". CBS. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  47. ^ Epstein, Reid J.; Lerer, Lisa; Goldmacher, Shane; Schleifer, Theodore (August 7, 2024). "Tim Walz's Sudden Rise in the Democratic Party Was No Accident". The New York Times. Retrieved August 8, 2024. Her advisers had begun by considering nine candidates—in addition to the widely reported final six, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland and Gina Raimondo, the secretary of commerce, were vetted—and Mr. Walz was not perceived as a front-runner.
  48. ^ Cordes, Nancy; Gómez, Fin; Navarro, Aaron (July 24, 2024). "Kamala Harris vetting about a dozen possible VP candidates". CBS News. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  49. ^ Friedmann, Meghan (July 23, 2024). "Kamala Harris campaign vets former Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond as VP candidate". The Advocate. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  50. ^ Gans, Jared (July 14, 2024). "6 Democrats who could be VP picks for Harris". The Hill. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  51. ^ Kapur, Sahil; Thorp, Frank V (July 24, 2024). "Senate Democrats say Mark Kelly would be a 'superb' VP pick. But there's some anxiety". NBC News. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  52. ^ Neukam, Stephen; Solender, Andrew; Robinson, Samuel. "Scoop: Sen. Gary Peters emerges as VP dark horse". Axios. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  53. ^ Zimmer, David M. (July 19, 2024). "Kamala Harris' VP: Possible running mates if she runs for president". North Jersey Media Group. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  54. ^ Hands, Phil (July 28, 2024). "Hands on Wisconsin: Could Tony Evers be Kamala Harris' VP pick?". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  55. ^ Han, Daniel (July 21, 2024). "New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's allies push him for VP pick". Politico. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  56. ^ Nazzaro, Miranda (July 22, 2024). "Manchin says he wouldn't serve as Harris VP". The Hill. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  57. ^ Benen, Steve (July 25, 2024). "In 'veepstakes' process, Democrats appear to widen the aperture". MaddowBlog. MSNBC. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  58. ^ Wood, Pamela (July 22, 2024). "Maryland Gov. Moore as vice president? 'I have no interest in the job.'". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  59. ^ Corasaniti, Nick. "Live Election Updates: Harris, Having Met With V.P. Finalists, Is Set to Unveil Choice by Tuesday Morning". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  60. ^ Pequeño, Sara (August 4, 2024). "Harris' VP pick will set the tone for Democrats. It needs to be progressive". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  61. ^ Pengelly, Martin. "Who is Josh Shapiro, Kamala Harris's potential vice-presidential pick?". The Guardian. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  62. ^ a b Hubbard, Kaia. "UAW president says Beshear, Walz are union's "top two" VP picks for Harris". CBS News.
  63. ^ Small, Jim. "AZ Dem Party endorses Mark Kelly for VP, urges Kamala Harris to pick him • Arizona Mirror". Arizona Mirror. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  64. ^ "Chris Christie says Trump 'created' Josh Shapiro, blaming ex-prez for VP hopeful's rise". msn.com.
  65. ^ a b Weaver, Jared; Stockburger, George (July 23, 2024). "Harris-Shapiro endorsed by Philadelphia Democratic party for the 2024 ticket". Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  66. ^ Orso, Gillian (July 26, 2024). "More than 50 Pa. labor leaders — including teachers unions — are rallying around Gov. Josh Shapiro, as veepstakes continue". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  67. ^ "Sanders Says Possible VP Walz 'Understands the Needs of Working Families'". Common Dreams.
  68. ^ "Nancy Pelosi Reportedly Has a Favorite V.P. Pick for Kamala". The New Republic.
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