Vice President Kamala Harris is set to interview three leading candidates for her running mate position at her Washington, DC, residence on Sunday. The candidates include Minnesota governor Tim Walz, US senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro.
According to a report from Reuters, Harris is expected to make her decision public as early as Monday, with a social media announcement featuring the chosen candidate planned for Tuesday in Philadelphia.
On Saturday, Harris met with her vetting team, including former attorney general Eric Holder, whose law firm provided detailed presentations on each of the finalists. She also held a 90-minute meeting with transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg on Friday and has been conducting virtual meetings with other candidates, including Kentucky governor Andy Beshear and Illinois governor J B Pritzker.
The selection of a running mate is a crucial decision for Harris as she quickly assembles a campaign to challenge Donald Trump in the November 5 election following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race last month. Her shortlist consists entirely of white men known for appealing to rural, white, or independent voters, and her choice will have an impact on the future direction of the Democratic Party.
Governor Shapiro, a top contender, has faced criticism from progressive groups and pro-Palestinian activists over his support for Israel and his handling of college protests related to the Gaza war. Some argue that selecting Shapiro as a running mate could hinder progress on issues such as Gaza policy and a pro-working class agenda.
Additionally, his handling of a sexual harassment complaint against a top aide and his support for voucher programs that direct public funds to private schools have drawn criticism from labour groups, including the United Auto Workers (UAW) union.
Senator Kelly has also faced criticism from labour groups for not supporting proposed legislation that they believe would strengthen union organising. Despite endorsing Harris for president, the UAW has said that it does not support either Kelly or Shapiro as potential running mates.
Governor Walz, at 60 years old, has become a favourite among progressives and youth groups who appreciate his attacks on Trump. However, some critics argue that he appears much older than Harris, which could be a disadvantage for a campaign recovering from concerns about Biden’s age. Walz addressed this criticism on X, attributing his appearance to his 20-year career as a high school teacher and lunchroom supervisor.
According to a report from Reuters, Harris is expected to make her decision public as early as Monday, with a social media announcement featuring the chosen candidate planned for Tuesday in Philadelphia.
On Saturday, Harris met with her vetting team, including former attorney general Eric Holder, whose law firm provided detailed presentations on each of the finalists. She also held a 90-minute meeting with transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg on Friday and has been conducting virtual meetings with other candidates, including Kentucky governor Andy Beshear and Illinois governor J B Pritzker.
The selection of a running mate is a crucial decision for Harris as she quickly assembles a campaign to challenge Donald Trump in the November 5 election following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race last month. Her shortlist consists entirely of white men known for appealing to rural, white, or independent voters, and her choice will have an impact on the future direction of the Democratic Party.
Governor Shapiro, a top contender, has faced criticism from progressive groups and pro-Palestinian activists over his support for Israel and his handling of college protests related to the Gaza war. Some argue that selecting Shapiro as a running mate could hinder progress on issues such as Gaza policy and a pro-working class agenda.
Additionally, his handling of a sexual harassment complaint against a top aide and his support for voucher programs that direct public funds to private schools have drawn criticism from labour groups, including the United Auto Workers (UAW) union.
Senator Kelly has also faced criticism from labour groups for not supporting proposed legislation that they believe would strengthen union organising. Despite endorsing Harris for president, the UAW has said that it does not support either Kelly or Shapiro as potential running mates.
Governor Walz, at 60 years old, has become a favourite among progressives and youth groups who appreciate his attacks on Trump. However, some critics argue that he appears much older than Harris, which could be a disadvantage for a campaign recovering from concerns about Biden’s age. Walz addressed this criticism on X, attributing his appearance to his 20-year career as a high school teacher and lunchroom supervisor.