Kamala Harris is today considered the absolute favorite for the Democratic nomination, having even managed to generate enthusiasm within the party’s ranks. A week ago, she considered defeat in the November 5 elections almost inevitable.
Having secured the support of Biden and other top Democrats, as well as raising record donations for her campaign, she is likely to head into the Democratic convention (August 19) unopposed. He needs 1,976 electoral votes and, barring any odds, will secure them.
With the window of time for the electoral battle against Donald Trump being extremely limited, it will be very difficult for another official to step forward and open an intra-party battle.
The main features sought after
The big question, then, is who will stand alongside her as vice presidential candidate. Forget the names that were being bandied about just a few days ago, like Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer, political analysts say.
It is considered unlikely that the Democrats will risk putting two women on the ticket. Facing the Trump-Vance duo and wanting to win the working class in the so-called swing states, the states where the result is ambivalent, she will probably want, as is estimated, to put a centrist or slightly more conservative white man on her side, rather than from the left wing. In other words, someone who will reconnect with the groups of voters that the Democrats seemed to be losing.
Based on this data, they project the following 4 people as favorites.
Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky
The 46-year-old politician has shown that he can reach a wide group of voters. He won reelection in the 2023 election, in one of the most conservative states in the country.
His ability to build coalitions in a divided political landscape has made him a rising star in the Democratic Party. Beshear is also among the youngest governors in office and has been able to mobilize young people, who were concerned not only about Biden’s age but also about Trump’s (who chose a 39-year-old as his running mate).
Before becoming governor in December 2019, he served as Kentucky’s attorney general and thus has a similar legal background to Kamala Harris.
I am grateful for the opportunity to thank our international business partners in Japan and to talk with them about bringing new jobs to Kentucky. It was a successful trip thanks in part to the support of U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel. pic.twitter.com/N2sfeQ48dQ
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) July 19, 2024
Mark Kelly, Senator from Arizona
His name has been mentioned a lot in recent hours and some even want him to have a slight advantage. Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a former astronaut, ran for the Senate, defeating John McCain. He also resonates with moderate Republicans.
The 60-year-old is married to former Arizona congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt in 2011 when a man shot her in the head during an event. Kelly and Giffords have repeatedly spoken out together against political violence, and in June they wrote an essay for PEOPLE about reproductive freedoms — both important issues in the 2024 election.
I am humbled and honored to continue serving Arizonans in the U.S. Senate. Now let’s get to work. pic.twitter.com/2hc8SoZyQI
– Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) January 3, 2023
Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina
Roy Cooper, 67, is completing his second term as governor of North Carolina.
In July, two sources close to the Biden-Harris campaign told The New York Times that Cooper is emerging as a serious contender to be a potential vice presidential replacement, even if it raises the average age on the ticket.
They met Harris when they were both attorneys general in their respective states. His big advantage is that North Carolina is considered a critical swing state, and with him on the ticket, Democrats may have a hope of winning it.
Kamala Harris should be the next president. I heard @VP dating back to our days as AGs, and she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country with thoughtfulness and integrity. I look forward to campaigning for her as we work to win NC more and more.
-Roy Cooper (@RoyCooperNC) July 21, 2024
Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania
In the 2022 midterm elections, he prevailed by a 15-point margin over his Republican opponent in a state that is also extremely critical for the elections.
The 51-year-old was a relatively unknown name to the general American public until a few months ago. However, he is seen as the person who can help the Democrats win the Rust Belt. Let’s not forget that Jay de Vance is presented as the “voice” of the Rust Belt – and this is also the main asset of the relatively inexperienced politician.
Inexperience compared to the other three candidates is perhaps Shapiro’s disadvantage.
The contrast in this race could not be clearer, and the path to victory in November runs through Pennsylvania – where this collective work began.
I will do everything I can to help elect @KamalaHarris as the 47th President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/sqCkiAmCV7
-Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) July 21, 2024
Who else can be heard
The Minister of Transport, Pete Budgett, is among the names suggested for the position, although several analysts believe it would be a mistake for Kamala Harris to go in that direction. They believe it could not broaden the electoral base.
The 59 year old man JB Pritzker, Illinois governor is also on the list of possible candidates. An ardent defender of women’s abortion rights and a supporter of stricter gun ownership regulations, he is essentially the “antidote” to Trump.