Who Might Kamala Harris Pick as Her Running Mate? (2024)

By Adam Nagourney and Jennifer Medina Updated July 30, 2024

Beshear is a two-term Democratic governor from Kentucky, a solidly Republican state. When he first won in 2019, his victory was regarded as a fluke; Trump won the state by about 30 percentage points three years earlier. But last year, Beshear easily won re-election. He has emphasized the “common good,” working with Republicans on legislation, including the legalization of medical marijuana, and often talks about his Christian faith. It’s a message that could be particularly appealing for Democrats as they try to win over moderate white voters in the suburbs. Of all the candidates on the list, Beshear might be the least-known outside his state, though the burst of attention he would receive if Ms. Harris tapped him would rectify that.

Jon Cherry for The New York Times

The Arizona senator rose to national prominence after his wife, Representative Gabby Giffords, survived an assassination attempt in 2011. Kelly, a Navy veteran and a former astronaut, began campaigning for stricter gun control, eventually winning his Senate seat in 2020. He has carved out an image as a moderate in Arizona, building a coalition that relied on white women in the suburbs as well as young Latino voters who were crucial in delivering the state to Joe Biden in 2020. That kind of coalition is likely to be essential if Democrats hope to hold on to the White House. And Kelly could potentially help Ms. Harris in other battleground states.

Rod Lamkey Jr. for The New York Times

Shapiro was elected as governor in 2022 after serving as the state’s attorney general. Pennsylvania is a must-win state for his party, and Shapiro’s stock among Democrats rose after he swamped his Republican opponent for governor, Doug Mastriano, winning 56 percent of the vote. As demonstrations against Israel spread across campuses this fall, Shapiro — who is also Jewish — denounced the rise in antisemitism after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas against Israel. He also won praise for overseeing quick repairs after a bridge collapse on Interstate 95 last year. For Democrats, Shapiro’s biggest draw is likely the political strength he has displayed in this critical state, reflected in impressive approval ratings.

Kriston Jae Bethel for The New York Times

Walz is a former member of Congress and retired educator who has served as governor of Minnesota since 2019. As governor, he deployed the National Guard to Minneapolis to help quell the riots over the death of George Floyd at the hands of the police. While in Congress, he was the rare Democrat representing a rural part of the state, suggesting a kind of political appeal that could be attractive to Harris. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and the head of the Democratic Governors Association.

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Less likely contenders

Several other names have been mentioned since Mr. Biden abandoned his bid. They include:

Buttigieg is a former mayor of South Bend, Ind., and would be the first openly gay person to be nominated for vice president.

Desiree Rios for The New York Times

Moore was elected as Maryland’s first Black governor in 2022. He is an Army veteran, businessman and the author of a best-selling book.

Eric Lee/The New York Times

Pritzker, who has led Illinois since 2019, is a billionaire who could pour his own money into the campaign.

Jamie Kelter Davis for The New York Times

Ms. Raimondo is a lawyer and former governor of Rhode Island. She was appointed by Biden as commerce secretary in 2021.

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