Vice-President Kamala Harris is set to interview three leading candidates — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, US Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro — at her residence in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, as she nears a decision on her running mate.
Harris is anticipated to reveal her selection as soon as Monday, preceding her inaugural public event with the chosen vice-presidential nominee in Philadelphia on Tuesday, as reported by Reuters. The Harris campaign is also gearing up for a social media announcement featuring both Harris and her nominee, according to officials privy to the plans.
On Saturday, Harris convened with her vetting team, which included former Attorney-General Eric Holder. Holder's law firm, Covington & Burling LLP, conducted a thorough examination of the financial and background details of potential running mates. Holder and his team presented comprehensive analyses of each finalist, as per sources acquainted with the procedure.
Harris also held a 90-minute meeting with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Friday. Candidates will be notified of their selection status on Monday night or Tuesday morning, the sources indicated.
Selecting a running mate is a pivotal decision in Harris' political journey, as she rapidly assembles a campaign to contest Donald Trump in the November 5 election following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race last month. Her shortlist comprises exclusively white men known for their appeal to rural, white, or independent voters.
Harris' choice will also shape the Democratic Party's future, positioning the selected candidate as a frontrunner for subsequent presidential races. Shapiro, a leading contender, has drawn significant criticism from the left, particularly progressive groups and pro-Palestinian activists, due to his backing of Israel and his management of college protests arising from the conflict in Gaza.
Nina Turner, co-chair of Bernie Sanders' 2020 campaign and a fellow at The Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy, a progressive research group, stated, "There must be a policy correction on Gaza and there must be a pro-working class policy agenda, including a Black agenda. Picking Governor Shapiro as a running mate risks closing that door."
Shapiro's handling of a sexual harassment complaint against a senior aide has also come under scrutiny, and labor groups such as the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, which recently endorsed Harris for president, have criticized his advocacy for voucher programs that facilitate the use of public tax dollars for private schools. Some labor groups have also taken issue with Kelly for opposing legislation they believe would enhance union organizing.
Shawn Fain, president of the UAW, noted that while his 370,000-member union supports Harris for president, they are not endorsing Kelly or Shapiro as potential running mates. Walz has gained favor among progressives and youth groups for his critiques of Trump.
At 60, Walz is only a year older than Harris, but detractors argue he appears older, which could be a drawback for a campaign emerging from concerns about Biden's age. Walz addressed this criticism on X, stating that his appearance is a result of his tenure as a high school teacher and "supervised the lunchroom for 20 years. You do not leave that job with a full head of hair. Trust me."
