Vice President Kamala Harris is set to interview her running-mate finalists this weekend as she nears a decision for the Democratic ticket to take on Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Key Contenders
A source familiar with the process confirmed that Harris will interview finalists from a group of six contenders who have been vetted by the campaign:
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro
- U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz
- Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear
- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker
Interview Schedule
Harris, who officially became the Democratic presidential nominee on Friday, is scheduled to remain in Washington over the weekend for the interviews. It is not clear how many of the final candidates Harris intends to interview.
Decision Timeline
A decision on Harris’ vice presidential nominee is expected no later than Tuesday. Harris plans to travel to Philadelphia for a campaign rally with her chosen VP to kick off a multi-state battleground blitz.
Speculation on Josh Shapiro
Launching the tour in Philadelphia has led to speculation about the selection being Josh Shapiro, the 51-year-old governor from Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes are critical to Harris’ path to victory. The speculation increased when Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, a Democrat and Harris supporter, released a video promoting a Harris-Shapiro ticket.
Mayor Parker’s Statement:
“Kamala Harris for president and Josh Shapiro for vice president,” Parker says in the video, which was paid for by the mayor’s campaign committee.
Campaign Momentum
Since announcing her bid for president, Harris has energized Democrats, improved upon Biden’s polling, and raised significant campaign funds.
| Campaign Fundraising | Amount Raised |
|---|---|
| July Total | $310 million |
| First Week After Biden’s Exit | $200 million |
| Trump Campaign’s July Total | $139 million |
Harris’ campaign has $377 million in the bank, compared to Trump’s $327 million.
Summary
Kamala Harris is nearing a decision on her vice presidential nominee, with interviews set for this weekend. The final choice will be announced no later than Tuesday, with a campaign rally in Philadelphia to kick off a multi-state tour. The Harris campaign is gaining momentum with strong fundraising and increased support from Democrats.
