Veepstakes 2.0

As the presumptive 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, Kamala Harris has to do something Joe Biden didn’t: pick a running mate. Democrats came together quickly in their support for Harris as Biden’s successor in the 2024 race, but a few of them still took time to make their presidential ambitions known. Some who briefly contended for the Democratic nomination against Harris are now in the running for vice president.

James Vike, professor of social science and public administration at Widener University, said Harris’ campaign would be wise to let the attention rest on her for a few days before announcing a running mate. Harris needs to “start fresh and put forward kind of her own message,” he said.

On Aug. 7, the Democratic Party is set to hold a virtual nominating conference so it can meet Ohio’s early deadline for finalizing the presidential ticket. The state requires parties to submit nominees for president and vice president. That gives Harris 12 days, a handful of options, and one big decision.

Top contenders

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro

Shapiro, 51, came out in strong support of Harris on Sunday, calling her “a patriot worthy of our support.” He could give Harris an advantage with voters in his home battleground state.

He is a observant Jew who supports Israel in its war against Hamas, which could anger pro-Palestinian segments of the Democratic Party. Alternatively, his openness about his faith could help win votes from those who believe the party has gone too far in its opposition of Israel.

Sen. Mark Kelly

Kelly, 60, represents another key battleground state, Arizona. His recognition and familiarity with Arizonans’ priorities could help overcome voters’ concerns about Harris’ handling of border policy.

A former U.S. Navy captain and astronaut, Kelly is married to former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, who is known for her gun control advocacy after she survived getting shot in the head in 2011.

“I couldn’t be more confident that Vice President Kamala Harris is the right person to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country into the future,” Kelly wrote in an X post. “She has my support for the nomination, and Gabby and I will do everything we can to elect her President of the United States.”

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker

Pritzker, 59, endorsed Harris publicly on Monday, calling her “our party’s best chance to defeat Donald Trump in November.”

The endorsement came after Pritzker released a statement on X Sunday honoring Joe Biden for his political life, hailing him as “one of the most accomplished and effective presidents of our lifetime.”

Pritzker has been touted as a viable option since with his $3.5 billion net worth he could help fund the campaign with his own money. Illinois is expected to remain reliably blue in 2024, so Pritzker’s electoral advantage is limited.

Also in the running

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

Buttigieg, 42, had presidential aspirations of his own in 2020 but dropped out of the race in March of that year. As transportation secretary, he worked on the development and passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

“I will do all that I can to help elect Kamala Harris the next President of the United States,” Buttigieg said in an X post.

Buttigieg is in a same-sex marriage and could gain support for the ticket from young, progressive voters.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear

Beshear, 42, is serving his second term as governor. He has appeal as a successful Democrat in a largely conservative state.

On X, Beshear described Harris as “incredibly tough & smart, with the compassion and empathy to be a phenomenal president. She’ll bring our country together and move us past the anger politics we’ve seen in recent years.”

Dark horses

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Whitmer, 52, commonly called “Big Gretch” in her home state, is in her second term as Michigan’s governor. A Harris-Whitmer ticket would make history as one of the only all-female presidential tickets. (The Green Party nominated female president and vice presidential candidates twice in the past two decades.)

Harris and Whitmer, both former prosecutors, have openly advocated for abortion and voiced their support for pro-LGBTQ policies. Whitmer took a position as a co-chairwoman of Harris’ new campaign.

“She’s a former prosecutor, a champion for reproductive freedom, and I know that she’s got Michigan’s back,” Whitmer said in a statement.

But so far, Whitmer said she’s not applying for the job. She told WLNS-TV in Lansing, “I am not leaving Michigan.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom

Newsom, 56, garnered national attention when he debated Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Fox News in November 2023. DeSantis was running for the Republican nomination for president at the time, and Newsom was a harsh critic of the Florida governor’s immigration policies.

John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Voice at the time, said the debate “appealed to a very high percentage of people who don’t want Biden or Trump. This was a compelling look at the alternatives.”

After Biden announced his departure from the race on Sunday, Newsom quickly endorsed Harris for president, posting on X that “no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump's dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President.”

In his home state, Newsom’s popularity has lagged in recent years. He faced an approval rating lower than 50 percent in a Public Policy Institute of California survey this year. He prevailed in a recall election in 2021 with 61.9 percent of votes. Another recall effort began in March but has gained little traction.

Although Newsom has a high profile in the Democratic Party, he faces a constitutional obstacle to becoming vice president. Electors from a given state may not cast their votes for two people who are residents of that same state. That means California’s 55 Electoral College votes could not go to a Harris-Newsom ticket, which would deal a heavy blow to their chances in the general election.