Reuters names potential candidates Harris can nominate for vice president
Photo: US Vice President Kamala Harris (Getty Images)
US Vice President Kamala Harris needs to make an important decision immediately, namely to choose her vice presidential candidate, Reuters reports.
According to people familiar with the internal political discussions, several candidates for the vice presidency are currently being discussed, if they do not run for the US presidency themselves.
Among the candidates:
Democratic Governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear. He is successfully building a career in the Republican state that supported Donald Trump in 2020. He is proud of his achievements in creating jobs and supporting education and healthcare. As governor, he vetoed laws banning abortion and gender reassignment care for transgender youth, although the veto was overridden by the Republican legislature.
US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. He won the support of Democratic Party voters in 2020 by winning the first Iowa caucuses. He initially competed with Biden and Harris, but then endorsed Biden and joined his cabinet in 2021. The former mayor of South Bend also has significant influence in the key Democratic state of Michigan.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has earned praise from Democrats for his focus on economic development and high approval ratings in a politically competitive state that voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020.
US Senator Mark Kelly, known for his moderate approach in a state traditionally favored by Republicans, has the support of the Democratic Party. A former Navy captain and astronaut, he is also the husband of Gabrielle Giffords, who was seriously wounded in the 2011 shooting. Gun violence is a key issue in the Democrats' campaign.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro took office a year ago and is already considered a rising star in the Democratic Party. With a law degree and experience as an attorney general, he has a successful track record of fighting Republicans. Democrats see him as key to winning the November elections.
Billionaire and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is actively supporting Biden's campaign using his financial resources from Hyatt Hotels. He is also helping to host the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month. Although Illinois is leaning Democratic, Wisconsin remains an important prize in the 2024 elections.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has established herself in Michigan by relying on a direct approach and pressing issues. In 2020, she was considered as a vice presidential candidate before Biden chose Harris. Whitmer actively supported Biden in his re-election.
A Harris-Whitmer ticket would be the first female ticket in a major US political party, which could play a key role in an election where reproductive rights issues are important.
Biden withdraws from presidential race
The night before, US President Joe Biden announced that he would not run for a second term in office. In his address, he proposed Vice President Kamala Harris as a candidate for the presidency.
Despite calls from some Republicans for Biden's resignation, White House spokesman Andrew Bates said Biden would remain in office until the end of his term.
