The Vice President of the United States now finds herself looking for her own Vice President to be the number two on the Democratic ticket. This high profile game of veepstakes may determine the course as to which the race shapes up in key battleground states, and the choices on the reported shortlist are wide:
Gretchen Whitmer
The high profile Governor of Michigan has gained a great following within the Democratic Party for her staunch support of the Biden administration and labor brokering compromise during the consequential UAW labor strikes. Her position as a staunch supporter of labor, a Biden ally, and Governor of a pivotal swing state, and the virtue she’s a woman amid an existential debate over women’s reproductive rights make her a prime target to be selected as a Presidential running mate.
Andy Beshear
The Governor of Kentucky and heir of a political dynasty within Kentucky, Andy Beshear, has gained a high-profile status as a Democrat who can deal with a solid red legislature in Kentucky. Beshear is known as an empathetic Democrat who handled the COVID crisis masterfully and, as a result, won a sizeable victory in his bid for re-election in Kentucky during the 2023 election season. Beshear’s balance would provide a great help to Kamala Harris across the country.
Mark Kelly
Senator of Arizona Mark Kelly is reportedly also on the Vice Presidential Shortlist, and for good reason. From the critical battleground state of Arizona, those 11 electoral votes could prove pivotal to Harris’ path to 270. His background of being an astronaut and his marriage to Congressman Gabby Giffords, who was shot in 2011, could woo voters, bring Independents and Democrats into the fold, and carve the path to the White House. Kelly, while not having the same profile on abortion as Gretchen Whitmer, has pledged to codify Roe V. Wade into law, having the possibility to excite Democrats who have made this position their fighting cry.
Roy Copper
The outgoing Governor of North Carolina is a high-profile choice because of his status as Governor of the critical battleground state of North Carolina. Not only this, Harris and Cooper had a close personal relationship serving at the same time of serving as Attorney General of their respective states at the same time. Harris has constantly praised Cooper as a great legislator and friend; their close personal relationship makes good chemistry on the Presidential ticket and could prove crucial to denying Trump’s path to 270 because it’s generally agreed upon that if Trump loses North Carolina, he’s finished.
J.B. Pritzker
The Governor of Illinois is another reported choice on the Vice Presidential Shortlist for Kamala Harris. J.B. Pritzker’s staunch support for labor and minority rights in the state of Illinois and the geographical balance he brings onto the ticket makes him a prime choice for Kamala Harris. Another point of interest is the vast fortune that he could commit to the Presidential Campaign, being the heir to the lucrative Hyatt Hotel fortune. Though Pritzker is not the best choice as, say, the Governor of Pennsylvania, he certainly would be a great choice.
Josh Shapiro
Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania has jumped as the choice for Kamala Harris as Vice President. His position as Governor of arguably America’s most important swing state gives him credentials to boost Harris in her race to 270. It is generally agreed upon that if Harris wins in Pennsylvania, she wins the White House. Harris’s statements thus far indicate that Shapiro is at the tippy top of the VP Shortlist. It would be remiss not to mention how Shapiro won his Governor’s race in Pennsylvania by almost 15%, which gives him the boost to be Harris’s VP pick.
Our Personal Prediction
We at Bridge of Wills believe that the pick for Vice President will most likely be Josh Shapiro. For all the reasons stated, his staunch support of Harris, his status as Governor of America’s most important swing state, and his handling of infrastructure in the state of Pennsylvania make him the most likely pick (in our view) to be Vice President under Kamala Harris. The path to 270 runs right through Pennsylvania, and its 19 electoral votes would surely put Harris right at the doorstep of winning the whole election.
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