Harris narrows VP shortlist to 3 men: report
Vice President Kamala Harris has narrowed her potential list of running mates to three candidates, according to Bloomberg News.
"Harris is considering a wide range of vice presidential candidates from the Democratic Party’s bench, though people familiar with the process say a short list has emerged including three elected officials with nationwide appeal: Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz," Bloomberg reported Saturday.
A spokesperson for the Harris campaign responded to Bloomberg that she “directed her team to begin the process of vetting potential running mates” but did not elaborate.
According to media reports, Harris will make her decision by Aug. 7.
Shapiro, the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, was elected in 2022 by wide margins. Prior to becoming governor, the 51-year-old Democrat served as the Attorney General of Pennsylvania from 2017 to 2021. As Attorney General, he was known for his investigations into clergy sex abuse and his efforts to protect voting rights. Shapiro has also worked to combat the opioid crisis and human trafficking in Pennsylvania.
Mark Kelly is a former NASA astronaut and the current junior United States Senator from Arizona. He was elected to the Senate in 2020, defeating Republican incumbent Martha McSally. Prior to his political career, Kelly had a distinguished career as a naval aviator and astronaut, having flown four space shuttle missions between 2001 and 2011.
In the Senate, Kelly has focused on issues such as veterans' affairs, science and technology, and climate change. He has also been a vocal advocate for gun control, having co-founded the gun control organization Americans for Responsible Solutions with his wife, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Kelly is considered a moderate, and has experience working on border issues, an area where Harris has taken flack.
Tim Walz, the current Governor of Minnesota, was first elected in 2018. Prior to becoming governor, Walz served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Before entering politics, Walz had a career in education and the military. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1981 and served for 24 years. As governor, Walz gained national attention for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his response to the civil unrest following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020.