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2024 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection

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2024 Democratic vice presidential nomination
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Nominee Tim Walz
Home state Minnesota
Previous Vice Presidential nominee

Kamala Harris

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Tim Walz

2024 U.S. presidential election
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This article is part of
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Kamala Harris
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27th District Attorney of San Francisco
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49th Vice President of the United States
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Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 2024 and then-Vice President of the United States (2021–2025), considered several prominent individuals as potential running mates. On August 6, 2024, she chose Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota as her candidate for Vice President.[1] Harris and Walz were certified as the Democratic Party's official nominees that evening by Democratic National Committee secretary Jason Rae.[2]

After formally accepting their nomination during the 2024 Democratic National Convention,[3] Harris and Walz went on to lose the general election to the Republican ticket of former President Donald Trump and U.S. Senator J.D. Vance.

Background

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During Joe Biden's re-election campaign, Kamala Harris was presumed the Democratic Party nominee for a second term as Vice President of the United States. Biden competed in the Democratic presidential primaries facing candidates such as Minnesota US Representative Dean Phillips, and businessman Jason Palmer.[4][5] Biden became the presumptive nominee on March 12. However, amidst concerns about his age and ability to serve as president, Biden withdrew from the election on July 21, 2024 and endorsed Harris to replace him as the presidential nominee.[6]

Also on July 21, Harris announced her intention to run for the Democratic nomination,[7] and the "Biden for President" campaign committee filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to change the name of the committee to "Harris for President".[8] On July 22, Harris received enough state delegate endorsements to win the nomination and become the presumptive Democratic nominee.[9]

Selection process

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The Harris campaign's vetting process for potential running mates was conducted by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder; Holder's law firm, Covington & Burling;[10] and Dana Remus, former White House counsel to President Biden.[11]

On August 2, The New York Times reported that former Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Elizabeth M. Allen would lead Harris's running mate team.[12]

Vetting team

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Harris advisors who vetted her prospective running mates included:

Vetting process and developments

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An official reported to ABC News on July 23 that Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Shapiro were the leading candidates to be selected as Harris's running mate.[14] Another source told Talking Points Memo the following day that North Carolina governor Roy Cooper was an additional top choice.[15] On July 23, the Financial Times reported that donors preferred Cooper or Shapiro and "Hollywood Democrats" backed Kelly.[16] Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was also a serious candidate,[17] as were Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear[18] and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.[19]

On July 29, The New York Times reported Cooper had voluntarily withdrawn his name from consideration.[20]

On July 30, The Hill reported that several progressive leaders and political groups urged Harris to pick Beshear or Walz instead of Shapiro in an effort to consolidate key voting groups and the Democratic base.[21]

On August 1, NBC News and The New York Times reported that Harris's final shortlist included Andy Beshear, Pete Buttigieg, Mark Kelly, J. B. Pritzker, Josh Shapiro, and Tim Walz.[22][23] The New York Times reported that day that the vice presidential vetting process had been completed.[22] On August 4, Harris interviewed Shapiro, Kelly, and Walz in person at the Number One Observatory Circle. Following this, on August 5, it was reported that Harris would choose between Walz and Shapiro.[24] Harris did not make her decision on August 5, choosing to "sleep on it" and inform her running mate of her decision the following morning.[13] On August 6, Harris chose Walz.[25]

Shortlist

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Formally vetted

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In addition to the candidates on the shortlist, the following candidates either reportedly received vetting materials from the Harris campaign on July 23, 2024 or were reportedly being considered.[30][31][32]

Declined to be considered

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In addition to Roy Cooper, the following individuals were noted by media as potential running mates, but either publicly or privately withdrew their names from consideration. Despite being listed as a serious contender, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer stated on July 29 that she never received any vetting materials and declined to be considered, preferring to serve the remainder of her term.[36][37]

Announcement

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Politico reported on July 30 that Harris planned to hold a rally with her running mate choice in Philadelphia on August 6, raising speculation that the pick was Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro; however, a campaign aide for Harris cautioned against causing speculation behind Philadelphia being chosen as the venue for the rally.[42]

On August 6, Harris announced on social media that she had selected Tim Walz as her running mate. In her announcement, Harris said, "'What impressed me most about Tim is his deep commitment to his family'". Harris added, "'We are going to build a great partnership. We are going to build a great team. We are going to win this election'".[43]

Analysis

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The selection was described by The New York Times as a proxy war between progressive and moderate Democrats. Progressive activists accused Shapiro and Kelly of being too conservative, specifically on labor issues and the Gaza war, therefore backing Walz. Moderates defended Shapiro, accusing progressives of antisemitism in their attacks. Both sides seemingly accepted Beshear.[44] An opinion piece in USA Today said that not picking Shapiro would signal support for a progressive platform, and one in The Guardian said picking Shapiro would signal moderation.[45][46]

Walz was the first sitting governor selected as the Democratic vice presidential nominee since Charles W. Bryan of Nebraska in 1924.[47] If elected, Walz would have been the third vice president from Minnesota after Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale.[48] Walz is also the first sitting governor to appear on a Democratic ticket since Bill Clinton in 1992.

Endorsements

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Andy Beshear

Notable Individuals

Mark Kelly

Political parties

Josh Shapiro

Governors

Local officials

Political parties

Tim Walz

U.S. Senators

U.S. Representatives

Individuals

Opinion polling

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Vice presidential polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[b]
Andy Beshear
Pete Buttigieg
Roy Cooper
Mark Kelly
Wes Moore
J. B. Pritzker
Josh Shapiro
Gretchen Whitmer
Others
Undecided
YouGov[57] July 29–31, 2024 1,127 (A) 5% 12% 1% 16% – 2% 8% 5% 18%[c] 34%
Leger[58] July 26–28, 2024 301 (A) 7% 11% 8% 10% 2% 4% 18% – – 41%
NPR/PBS News/Marist National[59] July 22–23, 2024 1,309 (LV) 6% 21% 8% 13% 6% 7% 17% 21% – –
SurveyUSA/FairVote[60] July 8–10, 2024 2,050 (LV) 3% 20% 3% – – 5% 14% 19% 12%[d] 19%

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Buttigieg served as the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012 to 2020 and was a resident of Indiana during his 2020 presidential campaign. He changed his residency to Michigan in 2022 and voted there in that year's midterm elections.[26][27][28]
  2. ^ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  3. ^ Includes Gavin Newsom on 6%, Tim Walz on 5%, Raphael Warnock on 2%
  4. ^ Includes Amy Klobuchar on 5%, Jared Polis on 3%, and Jamie Raskin on 5%

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Parnes, Amie; Samuels, Brett; Conradis, Brandon (August 6, 2024). "Harris picks Walz for vice president". The Hill. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  2. ^ Nazzaro, Miranda (August 6, 2024). "Harris, Walz officially certified as Democratic nominees for president, vice president". The Hill. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "Watch DNC live as Tim Walz accepts VP nomination on Day 3 of convention". CBS News.com. August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  4. ^ Quinn, Melissa; Watson, Kathryn; Yilek, Caitlin (August 23, 2024). "Who's running for president in 2024? Meet the candidates — and the ones who've dropped out". CBS News. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  5. ^ Pipia, Lindsey (May 15, 2024). "American Samoa primary victor Jason Palmer bows out of the presidential race". NBC News. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  6. ^ Kenning, Chris; Samuelsohn, Darren (July 22, 2024). "'It's unprecedented': Biden's exit is a history-making moment in the American presidency". USA Today. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  7. ^ Klein, Betsy (July 21, 2024). "Harris says she will "earn and win" Democratic nomination". CNN. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  8. ^ Goldmacher, Shane (July 21, 2024). "The "Biden for President" campaign committee has officially filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to rename itself "Harris for President." The paperwork was submitted at 4:51 p.m., according to the FEC". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  9. ^ Korte, Gregory; Fabian, Jordan (July 23, 2024). "Harris Crosses Delegate Threshold in Sign Nomination Is Hers". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  10. ^ Mason, Jeff; Renshaw, Jarrett (July 22, 2024). "Former attorney general Holder to vet Harris' potential running mates". Reuters. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  11. ^ "Pritzker sees the writing on the Walz — calls Minnesota governor chosen for VP slot 'kind and decent human being'". WBEZ Chicago. August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  12. ^ "Senior U.S. Diplomat Will Lead Kamala Harris's Running Mate's Team". The New York Times. August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d "Picking a Running Mate: Inside the 16 days between Kamala Harris' launch and her choice of Tim Walz". Associated Press. August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  14. ^ Hutzler, Alexandra; Reinstein, Julia; Peller, Lauren; El-Bawab, Nadile; Sarnoff, Leah; Pereira, Ivan (July 23, 2024). "Josh Shapiro and Mark Kelly said to be leading VP candidates for Harris". ABC News. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  15. ^ Walker, Hunter (July 24, 2024). "The Petestakes: Everyone's Clamoring For The Empty Seat At Harris' Table". Talking Points Memo. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  16. ^ "Shapiro, Kelly and Cooper frontrunners to be Harris's running mate, say donors". Financial Times. Archived from the original on July 24, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  17. ^ Lerer, Lisa; Glueck, Katie (July 24, 2024). "What's More Exciting Than a Veepstakes? A Surprise Veepstakes". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  18. ^ "Andy Beshear, one of Kamala Harris' potential VP picks, makes campaign stop in pivotal swing state". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  19. ^ "Harris VP short list stacked with contenders who can raise big money". CNBC. July 29, 2024. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Goldmacher, Shane; Epstein, Reid J. (July 29, 2024). "Roy Cooper Is Said to Withdraw From Harris's Vice-Presidential Field". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  21. ^ "Progressives urge Harris to consider Beshear, Walz for VP, not Shapiro". The Hill. July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Vetting of Harris V.P. Picks Is Said to Be Complete". The New York Times. August 1, 2024. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  23. ^ "Harris campaign has met with 6 potential VP picks as the selection process nears its end". NBC News. August 1, 2024. Archived from the original on August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  24. ^ Bose, Nandita. "Kamala Harris' running mate choice narrows to Tim Walz, Josh Shapiro, sources say". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  25. ^ "Five things to know about Tim Walz". Associated Press. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  26. ^ Spangler, Todd (July 8, 2022). "Pete Buttigieg now calls Michigan home, plans to vote in midterms". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  27. ^ Kilgore, Ed (July 8, 2022). "Ex-Mayor Pete Leaves South Bend for Michigan". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  28. ^ Timotija, Filip (March 19, 2024). "Buttigieg: 'I don't know if I'll run for office again or not'". The Hill. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  29. ^ Dorn, Sara (July 21, 2024). "Kamala Harris' Running Mate: Here's Who Could Be Her VP After Biden Drops Out And Endorses Her". Forbes. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  30. ^ Roche, Darragh (July 23, 2024). "Kamala Harris' running mate selection narrows: Report". Newsweek. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  31. ^ "Reports: Gov. Andy Beshear one of four candidates being vetted by Harris campaign". whas11.com. July 23, 2024. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  32. ^ Irvine, Bethany (July 24, 2024). "Playbook PM: Wray shares new details about Trump shooter". Politico. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  33. ^ Epstein, Reid J.; Lerer, Lisa; Goldmacher, Shane; Schleifer, Theodore (August 7, 2024). "Tim Walz's Sudden Rise in the Democratic Party Was No Accident". The New York Times. Retrieved August 8, 2024. Her advisers had begun by considering nine candidates—in addition to the widely reported final six, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland and Gina Raimondo, the secretary of commerce, were vetted—and Mr. Walz was not perceived as a front-runner.
  34. ^ Cordes, Nancy; Gómez, Fin; Navarro, Aaron (July 24, 2024). "Kamala Harris vetting about a dozen possible VP candidates". CBS News. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  35. ^ Friedmann, Meghan (July 23, 2024). "Kamala Harris campaign vets former Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond as VP candidate". The Advocate. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  36. ^ a b "Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: I have not been vetted as Kamala Harris' running mate". People. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  37. ^ a b "Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she's "not a part of the vetting" for Harris' VP pick". CBS. July 29, 2024. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  38. ^ Nazzaro, Miranda (July 22, 2024). "Manchin says he wouldn't serve as Harris VP". The Hill. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  39. ^ Benen, Steve (July 25, 2024). "In 'veepstakes' process, Democrats appear to widen the aperture". MaddowBlog. MSNBC. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  40. ^ Wood, Pamela (July 22, 2024). "Maryland Gov. Moore as vice president? 'I have no interest in the job.'". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  41. ^ Rahman, Khaleda (July 19, 2024). "Kamala Harris running mate: Two candidates reportedly rule themselves out". Newsweek. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  42. ^ Otterbein, Holly; Daniels, Eugene (July 30, 2024). "Harris to hold first rally with running mate Tuesday in Philadelphia". Politico. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  43. ^ "Harris picks Walz for vice president". thehill.com. August 6, 2024.
  44. ^ Corasaniti, Nick. "Live Election Updates: Harris, Having Met With V.P. Finalists, Is Set to Unveil Choice by Tuesday Morning". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  45. ^ Pequeño, Sara (August 4, 2024). "Harris' VP pick will set the tone for Democrats. It needs to be progressive". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  46. ^ Pengelly, Martin. "Who is Josh Shapiro, Kamala Harris's potential vice-presidential pick?". The Guardian. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  47. ^ Goldstein, Joel (August 9, 2024). "In Passing on a Swing State VP, Harris Makes a Pick That Fits Recent History". Center For Politics. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  48. ^ Staff, Intelligencer (August 6, 2024). "Tim Walz Has Won the Harris Veepstakes: Live Updates, Analysis". Intelligencer. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  49. ^ a b Hubbard, Kaia (August 4, 2024). "UAW president says Beshear, Walz are union's "top two" VP picks for Harris". CBS News.
  50. ^ Small, Jim. "AZ Dem Party endorses Mark Kelly for VP, urges Kamala Harris to pick him • Arizona Mirror". Arizona Mirror. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  51. ^ "Chris Christie says Trump 'created' Josh Shapiro, blaming ex-prez for VP hopeful's rise". msn.com.
  52. ^ a b Weaver, Jared; Stockburger, George (July 23, 2024). "Harris-Shapiro endorsed by Philadelphia Democratic party for the 2024 ticket". Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  53. ^ Orso, Gillian (July 26, 2024). "More than 50 Pa. labor leaders — including teachers unions — are rallying around Gov. Josh Shapiro, as veepstakes continue". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  54. ^ "Sanders Says Possible VP Walz 'Understands the Needs of Working Families'". Common Dreams.
  55. ^ "Nancy Pelosi Reportedly Has a Favorite V.P. Pick for Kamala". The New Republic.
  56. ^ Kashiwagi, Sydney (July 26, 2024). "Prominent Minnesota Dems mostly backing Gov. Tim Walz for Kamala Harris' VP pick". The Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  57. ^ "YouGov" (PDF).
  58. ^ "Leger" (PDF).
  59. ^ "Home of the Marist Poll". maristpoll.marist.edu.
  60. ^ "New ranked choice poll shows Kamala Harris is the consensus choice for Democrats if Biden withdraws". fairvote.org.
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