Harris to interview potential vice president candidates on Sunday
Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, is in the process of meeting with potential candidates to be her running mate, with top contenders including Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota. Both governors are scheduled to travel to Washington for interviews with Harris, as reported by multiple sources familiar with the plans. The Washington Post was the first to report on these interviews with Harris’ top VP contenders.
In addition to Shapiro and Walz, Harris is also conducting formal interviews with candidates who have not been confirmed in the media, both in person and virtually. A source familiar with the process revealed that Harris had previously engaged in a virtual meeting with Mr. Biden during his own vice presidential candidate interviews. While this particular interview took place during the pandemic, other candidates had in-person interviews with him at the time.
Shapiro, known as one of the nation’s most popular governors, boasts an impressive 60% approval rating, according to a recent Quinnipiac poll. He has secured statewide office three times—twice as state attorney general and once as governor. Notably, while serving as Pennsylvania’s top law enforcement official, Shapiro oversaw the investigation of widespread sexual abuse committed by hundreds of priests and a decades-long cover-up by the Catholic church.
Walz, a former congressman in his second term as governor, also maintains high approval ratings. With Democrats controlling both chambers of the state legislature during his tenure, Walz has successfully enacted numerous progressive priorities. These include measures such as the protection of abortion access and gender-affirming health care, legalization of recreational marijuana, gun access restrictions, free school meals for all children, and expanding paid family leave.
Reports from the Associated Press reveal that Harris has also been in discussions with Govs. Andy Beshear of Kentucky and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Two sources familiar with Harris’ selection process disclosed this information.
On Friday, President Biden shared that he has been in communication with Harris regarding her running mate selection. However, when pressed for details on the qualities she should consider in a candidate, Biden responded, “I’ll let her work that out.”
Expectedly, Harris is set to announce her vice presidential pick by Tuesday. Following the announcement, she and her running mate will be embarking on joint campaign efforts in battleground states throughout the week.
While Harris has already garnered a majority of the pledged and automatic delegates in the electronic roll call to secure the Democratic nomination, voting will remain open until Monday.
