Harris Veepstakes Reaches Its 'Ugly Phase' as Dem Factions Jostle for Influence

As presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris is expected to announce her running mate by Tuesday, Democrats are still divided over who is the best person to join her on the ticket.

Behind the scenes, the contest to be the next Democratic vice-presidential nominee has reached its "ugly phase," the New York Times reported Sunday, with "donors, interest groups and political rivals" jostling for their preferred candidates.

The three leading contenders—Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, Arizona senator Mark Kelly, and Minnesota governor Tim Walz—all met with Harris on Sunday.

The Democratic Party's progressive wing has attacked Shapiro, who is Jewish, over his pro-Israel positions. A letter from the progressive group "VP Unity" said Harris's consideration of Shapiro has "set off alarm bells" among young voters and Muslim-American activists, The Hill reported Wednesday. The email chain for another group of anti-Shapiro progressives, meanwhile, grew heated as members bickered over whether calling Shapiro "Genocide Josh" is anti-Semitic, according to the Times.

One email in that chain, by Movement Voter Project executive director Billy Wimsatt, said that Shapiro "risks significantly depressing enthusiasm for the Harris ticket among key constituencies of young voters, Arab and Muslim voters, and to some degree labor," the Times reported. Wimsatt argued that Walz, who "has become a favorite of the party's most liberal contributors," is the "perfect Harris VP unicorn for this moment."

Left-wingers have also pushed back against Shapiro over his support for the Republican-led effort to offer $100 million in school vouchers to families for private school tuition.

Some progressive groups have also criticized Kelly. United Automobile Workers president Shawn Fain told CBS in a Sunday interview that Kelly had "not really" satisfied concerns about his dedication to pro-union legislation. Fain also noted that the organization had "bigger issues" with Shapiro's support for school vouchers.

Some Democrats are still throwing their support behind candidates who did not meet with Harris on Sunday. Operatives last week distributed a document that promoted Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to Democrats, including major donors, while some donors are promoting Kentucky governor Andy Beshear as a "compromise candidate." Walz and Beshear are both set to headline Harris Victory Fund events on Monday evening.

Harris and her running mate are scheduled to visit swing states, starting in Pennsylvania and then heading to Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. The Democratic National Committee, which will select the party's president and vice president nominees virtually by Thursday, will hold its convention in Chicago from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22.

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