Kamala Harris’ VP Picks: Top Contenders After Biden’s Withdrawal

Vice President Kamala Harris is emerging as the leading candidate to succeed President Joe Biden, who announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race on Sunday and endorsed her as the Democratic nominee. Biden’s exit has set off a whirlwind of speculation and competition within the Democratic Party to select his vice-presidential replacement. The most likely candidates for this role include several prominent governors who have previously supported the Biden-Harris campaign and have earned high approval ratings in their respective states. Among these, California Governor Gavin Newsom stands out. Newsom, who has been a vocal defender of Biden, particularly after the president’s controversial debate performance against Donald Trump last month, is a key figure in the conversation. However, Newsom, along with other potential candidates such as Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, might face disadvantages due to their association with states that are considered safe Democratic strongholds.

In contrast, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is generating significant interest as a potential running mate for Harris. Cooper’s recent campaign appearances alongside Harris in North Carolina have fueled speculation about his candidacy. Former Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean has publicly endorsed the idea of Cooper joining the ticket, suggesting that his presence could enhance the Democrats’ chances in North Carolina, a crucial swing state where Trump currently holds a 6.8-point lead according to FiveThirtyEight’s polling average. Another potential VP candidate is Minnesota Representative Betty McCollum, who has recommended her state’s Democratic Governor, Tim Walz, as a suitable running mate for Harris. Walz had previously acknowledged Biden’s poor debate performance in a PBS interview, adding weight to McCollum’s recommendation. Additionally, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who has achieved notable electoral successes in a traditionally Republican state, is being considered. Despite his achievements, winning Kentucky remains a challenging goal for Democrats due to the state’s conservative leanings.

Other notable potential vice-presidential candidates include Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Both governors are seen as valuable assets in key swing states where Biden has struggled against Trump. Whitmer and Shapiro could play a crucial role in strengthening Democratic support in these pivotal regions. Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia is also under consideration. Warnock’s proven ability to win close races against Republicans in Georgia makes him a compelling choice, especially for mobilizing Black voters in a state that is crucial to the Democrats’ strategy. Meanwhile, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, another rising Democratic star, has indicated he will not seek the nomination this year and continues to support Biden despite the debate fallout. Despite this, Moore remains a prominent and influential figure within the party.

Other possible candidates include Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Both Klobuchar and Buttigieg gained substantial national recognition during their bids for the presidency in 2020 and are seen as experienced contenders for the vice-presidential slot. Harris will need to finalize her choice of running mate by August 7. Typically, parties officially select their nominees at their conventions, with the Democratic National Convention scheduled to start on August 19 in Chicago. However, this year’s process includes an early virtual roll call to comply with a modified Ohio law that initially required nominees to be finalized 90 days before the election, though the Ohio legislature has since extended this deadline.

Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 race followed significant pressure from over 30 elected Democrats, prompted by his difficult debate performance against Trump. Despite initially dismissing rumors of his withdrawal, Biden privately acknowledged the necessity of stepping aside earlier this week, according to multiple sources. Biden had previously claimed he would return to the campaign trail the following week after isolating in Delaware due to a COVID-19 diagnosis.

In terms of polling, Harris, along with other potential VP picks such as Whitmer, Newsom, Buttigieg, Pritzker, and Klobuchar, currently trails Trump in hypothetical matchups. However, all these candidates perform better than Biden, who is six points behind Trump in the latest CNN/SSRS poll. Of the potential vice-presidential candidates, Harris shows the strongest performance, trailing Trump by only two points.