Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly considering a short list of candidates for her vice presidential pick, including several moderate white male candidates who could appeal to older white voters and suburban women.
Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly in the process of vetting potential running mates for the 2024 presidential election. According to NBC News, Harris has narrowed down her list to a select few candidates, including several moderate white male candidates who could appeal to key demographics.
Among the potential picks is Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, who has been praised by his Democratic colleagues and is married to former Rep. Gabby Giffords, a leading advocate for gun control. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are also reportedly being considered.
Kamala Harris's Choice for Vice President: A Balancing Act of Demographics and Policy
Ashley Etienne, a former Harris communications director, told NBC News that Harris needs to choose someone who is "moderate, obviously, a white male" in order to "counterbalance her race and her gender." She believes this would help Harris appeal to disaffected Republicans, independents, and older white voters.
The Harris campaign is reportedly hoping to find a candidate who will appeal to the demographics that President Biden was strongest with, including older white voters and suburban women. Additionally, the campaign reportedly wants a candidate who appeals to white men who aren't fans of former President Trump but are skeptical about Harris.
Kamala Harris's Choice for Vice President: A Balancing Act of Demographics and Policy
If Harris decides against choosing a white male, Cedric Richmond, a former Biden adviser and Louisiana congressman, has also been floated as a possible running mate. Many had speculated that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and California Gov. Gavin Newsom would also be considered, but both have withdrawn their names from consideration.
Arizona Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, who is running for Senate in Arizona, said Wednesday that Kelly would give Harris a "jolt" if she chose him for vice president. Kelly's Democratic colleagues in the Senate have spoken highly of him, with Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., the party's 2016 vice presidential nominee, calling him a "superb" choice.
Kamala Harris's Choice for Vice President: A Balancing Act of Demographics and Policy
Hailing from the key battleground state of Arizona, Kelly could assist Harris in locking up Western states and provide credibility on the border, which he has said is in "crisis." He has a compelling life story and career, being a former Navy pilot and astronaut. His parents were both police officers, which could help Democrats dodge GOP attacks for being too soft on crime.
Kelly is married to former Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., who was shot during a campaign event with constituents in 2011. He cared for her throughout her recovery and continues to do so. Both are leading advocates of gun control reforms.
Kamala Harris's Choice for Vice President: A Balancing Act of Demographics and Policy
A top Democratic Party donor told NBC News that Biden is "happy as a clam" to have Harris at the top of the ticket.
"Vice President Harris has directed her team to begin the process of vetting potential running mates," a Harris campaign spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "That process has begun in earnest, and we do not expect to have additional updates until the vice president announces who will be serving as her running mate and as the next vice president of the United States."
Fox News Digital's Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
