Vice President Kamala Harris has secured enough delegates to formally land the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. As she prepares to kick off an ambitious swing state tour, Harris faces a consequential decision: who to choose as her running mate.
Vice President Kamala Harris has formally secured the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, marking a significant milestone in her bid to unseat former President Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election. With just over three months remaining until Election Day, Harris now faces a pivotal choice that could shape the trajectory of her campaign: who to select as her running mate.
The decision will not only determine Harris's potential partner in the White House but also send a message about the direction she intends to take the party and the country. According to Democratic sources, Harris has met with several potential contenders over the weekend, including Govs. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Tim Walz of Minnesota, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Govs. Andy Beshear of Kentucky and JB Pritzker of Illinois, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Harris Secures Presidential Nomination, Faces Decision on Running Mate
The vetting process is typically a lengthy one, spanning several months. However, the Democrats are facing an extremely compressed timeline due to Harris's late entry into the race. As a result, Harris is expected to make an announcement regarding her running mate in the coming hours.
While Harris and her team have maintained silence on the subject, allies of the contenders have been actively advocating for their candidates. Interest groups within the party have also expressed their preferences, setting the stage for potential disappointment among those whose preferred choices are not selected.
Harris Secures Presidential Nomination, Faces Decision on Running Mate
Harris's choice of running mate could exacerbate policy divisions within the Democratic Party that have been papered over in recent weeks. The announcement will likely disappoint some factions of the party, highlighting the challenge of unifying the diverse Democratic coalition.
Once her running mate is named, Harris and her partner will team up on Tuesday for a rally in Philadelphia to kick off an ambitious swing state tour. The tour will include stops in seven battleground states – Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada – that will likely determine the outcome of the election.
Harris Secures Presidential Nomination, Faces Decision on Running Mate
Harris drew a sizable crowd at her first major rally since taking over the top of the Democratic ticket last week, suggesting a possible resurgence of Democratic enthusiasm. The size and energy of her crowds during this week's swing state tour will be closely monitored.
Meanwhile, Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, have continued their relentless attacks on Harris, accusing her of being "dumb" and lacking "mental capacity." The Harris campaign has fired back, claiming that Trump is "weak... struggling... panicking... and running scared."
Harris Secures Presidential Nomination, Faces Decision on Running Mate
Harris has yet to sit for a major interview since becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee, a fact that the Trump campaign has highlighted. As the race enters its final stretch, Harris faces the challenge of addressing concerns and presenting a compelling vision for the country in the eyes of voters.
The roll call to formally land the Democratic presidential nomination will conclude on Monday at 6 p.m. ET. Harris secured the majority of delegates to the party's nominating convention, which gets underway in two weeks in Chicago.
The Harris campaign is aware of the three months of campaigning that remain before the November election. Battleground states director Dan Kanninen emphasized that it is their task to turn the "unprecedented energy" behind Harris into action. As the race continues, Harris faces the daunting task of uniting her party, countering attacks from her opponents, and convincing voters that she is the best choice to lead the country.
