(FeaturedNews.com) – Now that Biden has dropped out of the race, attention has turned to who Harris might pick as her running mate.
Although it isn’t set in stone that Vice President Kamala Harris will replace President Joe Biden as the Democratic Party’s nominee, she’s been endorsed by the party’s top brass, including Biden.
Now, attention has shifted to who Harris would select to join her on the ticket. These are the names that have reportedly made the list:
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear
Against all odds, Democrat Andy Beshear won the heavily Republican state that had voted for former President Donald Trump with a 25 percentage point margin in 2020.
Beshear has lauded his accomplishments of supporting public education, bringing jobs to Kentucky, and expanding healthcare access. The Democratic Governor also vetoed legislation to ban abortion despite those vetoes being overridden by the Republican-dominated state legislature.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper
Cooper has garnered the approval of his fellow Democrats for his success in a Republican-leaning state that voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020. However, his focus on economic development has allowed him to gain and maintain strong approval ratings.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Whitmer has an unflinching support base in the closely contested state, campaigning on her straight talk and ability to target kitchen-table issues.
In 2020, she reportedly captured Biden’s attention as she was vetted as his potential running mate and became one of the President’s top supporters for his reelection bid.
If Harris selects Whitmer as her running mate, it would be the first all-woman ticket for a major political party in U.S. history — that could be significant in a race centered on women’s reproductive health.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
Pritzker is an influential figure in Democrat circles, going as far as using his financial resources linked to the Hyatt Hotels to assist Biden’s campaign effort. Although Illinois leans Democrat, neighboring Wisconsin is considered a major get for Democrats.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Considered a rising star, Shapiro, who took office last year, has a legal background similar to Harris’s. The Pennsylvania Governor also has a lengthy history of winning elections against strong GOP contenders.
He could be considered necessary to win a state Democrats believe they must win to secure November’s election.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg
Buttigieg didn’t have much name recognition until his primary run against Harris and Biden in 2020 when he garnered a strong base of supporters among Democratic voters.
Buttigieg is now considered a polished defender of Biden’s policies and has noteworthy ties in Michigan, a state integral to Democrats’ win in November.
Senator Mark Kelly (D-Arizona)
Kelly has courted favor with Democratic elites for his moderate tone in a state that typically votes Republican. The Arizona Democrat’s wife, former Representative Gabrielle Giffords, was seriously wounded in 2011 during a shooting. Gun violence is a significant campaign issue for Democrats.
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