We are now less than 100 days away from Election Day, and Democratic Party officials are pushing to officially announce their new presidential ticket as soon as possible.
Top party leaders have expressed their desire for Vice President Harris to choose her running mate by August 7th, sparking speculation this week about who it might be.
Potential candidates such as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Scott Kelly, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are being considered as frontrunners.
On Monday, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper stated that he will not be vetted for the position, citing that it wasn’t the right time for him or North Carolina to potentially be on a national ticket.
Gov. Roy Cooper opts out of VP vetting
OddsChecker currently lists Sen. Kelly followed by Gov. Shapiro as the favorites for the vice presidential spot, with both showing public interest in the role. Gov. Shapiro has emphasized Pennsylvania’s significance in the Electoral College, while Sen. Kelly has supported a pro-labor bill and emphasized the importance of the upcoming race.
RELATED STORY | Man behind viral AI-generated Kamala Harris video tells Scripps News it was meant as parody
Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore highlighted the importance of diversity in the vice presidential pick, especially considering Harris is an African-American woman. She suggested a balanced ticket that includes a man.
Pennsylvania, with 19 Electoral College votes up for grabs, is a crucial swing state, which is why Gov. Shapiro’s name continues to circulate as a potential choice.
If selected, the vice presidential candidate is expected to face Senator J.D. Vance in a debate. However, the debate scheduled for mid-August is currently on hold awaiting Harris’s decision.
