US Presidential Election: Kamala Harris To Announce Her Running Mate Today

Harris’ choice of a running mate is seen as one of the most consequential decisions of her political career, as she pulls together a campaign to challenge Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

VP Kamala Harris’ choice of a running mate will be the most consequential decision of her political career.

Source : X/@KamalaHarris

US Vice-President Kamala Harris, the Democrat candidate for the upcoming presidential election, is set to announce her running mate on Tuesday, ending two weeks of speculation. Harris will reveal her choice in a video announcement before she and her running mate appear together for a rally in Philadelphia to kick off a five-day tour. 

Politico, which first reported about the video announcement, said President Joe Biden had also prepared a video to announce Harris as his running mate back in 2020. 

Harris interviewed several contenders. Governors Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Tim Walz of Minnesota and Arizona senator Mark Kelly were interviewed over the weekend at the Naval Observatory, the Washington DC residence of the vice-president.

She also interviewed governors J.B. Pritzker and Andy Beshear, and the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg, who now is the US Secretary of Transportation.

Reuters' sources suggested Harris may have shortlisted Walz and Shapiro for the final lap.

Following a report that Harris had made her pick, her campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz wrote on X that she was still deciding.

“We understand the excitement and interest here, but VP Harris has made no decision on a running mate yet!”

We understand the excitement and interest here, but VP Harris has made no decision on a running mate yet! https://t.co/peHCGPvoRA

— Kevin Munoz (@munozka315) August 5, 2024

Harris’ choice of a running mate is seen as one of the most consequential decisions of her political career, as she pulls together a campaign to challenge Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and US Senator JD Vance, his vice presidential pick.

Josh Shapiro & Tim Walz

Shapiro is a former state attorney general. According to Reuters, his selection would be a historical moment as, in the event of a win, he would be the first Jewish Vice-President. While Shapiro’s strong support for Israel could alienate progressive voters, it could appeal to moderates and neutralise Republican efforts to use the Israel-Gaza conflict as a wedge issue against the Democrats. 

Walz is more popular with young and progressive voters than Kelly or Shapiro, The Guardian reported. He is a former US Army National Guard member and a former teacher who has raised his profile in recent weeks as an effective advocate for Harris. He has attacked Trump and Vance as "weird", a viral insult the Harris campaign has embraced, Reuters noted.