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2024 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection

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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]

Quick Facts Nominee, Home state ...
2024 Democratic vice presidential nomination
← 2020 August 6, 2024 (2024-08-06) 2028 →
 
Nominee Tim Walz
Home state Minnesota
Previous Vice Presidential nominee

Kamala Harris

 Vice Presidential nominee

Tim Walz

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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

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

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

Harris advisors who vetted her prospective running mates included:

Vetting process and developments

Summarize
Perspective

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

Formally vetted

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

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

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

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

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

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
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%
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See also

Notes

  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

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