With President Joe Biden dropping out of US presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement, it is highly likely that she will be picked as the official Democratic nominee, provided she is gets backing of delegates at the party’s national convention in August.
Now all eyes are on whom Harris will pick as her running mate for the upcoming November polls. There are a few names circulating in the US media and here is a look at the top contenders for the Democrat vice presidential nomination.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Michigan is also another battleground state and being the first woman to become the Democratic leader of the state Senate makes Gretchen Whitmer a strong candidate. If she becomes Harris's running mate, it would be the first time that both presidential and vice presidential candidates of either parties are women. She is a vocal voice for abortion rights and has opened up about her sexual assault in the past.
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly
Arizona is a swing state and that makes Senator Mark Kelly a potential nominee for VP. He is also a more popular name nationally compared to other contenders. His appeal among Republicans and independents could woo voters. He is a stauch advocate of gun control.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper
North Carolina, which has 16 electoral votes, is a swing state where Trump recorded a narrow victory in 2020 and 2016. This alone makes governor Roy Cooper an ideal VP pick for the Dems, given his consecutive wins in the state and the senate. He also has backing from across the aisle from Republicans. Another advantage for Cooper is his past collaboration with Harris when both of them were attorney generals of their respective states.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Pennsylvania is another swing state, where Trump was shot last week by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. It was here that Biden won in 2020 and Hillary Clinton lost in 2016. Being a moderate Democrat, Josh Shapiro is seen appealing among centrist voters. However, his backing for Israel could be a dampener for progressive voters.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
Illinois is a Democratic state and hence is not advantageous in expanding the party's victory. However, J.B. Pritzker comes from a family of influential donors and his own wealth could bolster the party's campaign.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear
The red state Kentucky voted for Andy Beshear twice despite overwhelmingly voting for Trump earlier. He is lauded for the way he navigated the state during the pandemic. However, many see it doubtful if he can help Harris win in the GOP fort.
California Governor Gavin Newsom
Another popular national figure among the Democratic VP contenders is California Governor Gavin Newsom who formerly serves as San Francisco mayor. He is a progressive Democrat who may not be able to woo Republicans and independent and California is not a swing state, both factors which are disadvatageous to his candidacy for VP.
