Who Will Kamala Harris Choose as Her Running Mate? Here Are the Top Options

After President Joe Biden endorsed Kamala Harris, following his announcement that he would not seek reelection, the vice president became the leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

As she likely secures the nomination soon, Harris will need to select a running mate, and several Democrats are emerging as potential contenders.

Red State and Swing State Officials

Harris’ path to victory in the November election will depend on winning several swing states and energizing Democratic voters to donate generously and turn out in high numbers.

To achieve this, Kamala Harris might consider choosing a governor from a “purple” state where the race against Trump will be tight. Top candidates include Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Another option could be Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat who won office in a predominantly red state. Alternatively, she might select a former Senate colleague like Mark Kelly of Arizona or Raphael Warnock of Georgia.

However, choosing an official from a Republican-leaning state has its risks. If these officials leave their positions to become vice president, their seats may be taken over by Republicans.

For instance, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp would almost certainly appoint a Republican to replace Warnock. Additionally, in deeply red states like Kentucky, having a popular local Democrat on the ticket may not be enough to secure a win in that state.

Rising Democratic Stars

While Kamala Harris could follow a swing state strategy for her VP pick, she might opt to choose a Democrat from a reliably blue state to harness the energy of the party’s rising stars. One prominent name is California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who was seen as a potential rival for the presidential nomination before endorsing Harris.

Despite questions about whether having another Californian would help win swing voters, Newsom is one of the most high-profile Democrats and could bring additional recognition to the ticket.

Another rising star, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, could add more energy to the campaign. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is also a mentioned possibility. All three governors have already endorsed Harris, along with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who had been considered as a possible VP pick before she expressed her desire to remain in her current role.

Kamala Harris has a wide array of potential running mates to choose from. Her selection could both strengthen her campaign and elevate one of the emerging prominent figures within the Democratic Party.