HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Harris campaign is expected to announce Kamala Harris’s running mate by next week, a process that usually takes months but is being expedited due to time constraints.
Nathaniel Rakich, a senior elections analyst with FiveThirtyEight Politics, spoke with Eyewitness News about the significance of the decision. “Choosing a running mate is perhaps the biggest decision that a presidential candidate has to make,” he said.
The vetting process generally involves a thorough background check and personal interviews to ensure there are no issues in a candidate’s past that could cause embarrassment. A rushed process increases the risk of missing crucial information.
Rakich suggested that the ideal running mate for Harris would be someone who could broaden her appeal among swing voters. Potential candidates like Senator Mark Kelly and Governor Josh Shapiro could provide an electoral advantage. Research typically shows that vice-presidential picks can boost a campaign by one or two percentage points in their home states.
Kelly, from Arizona, a key swing state, is politically more moderate, which could help balance Harris’s more liberal stance. His background as a senator from a border state could also bolster the campaign’s credibility on immigration issues.
Governor Shapiro of Pennsylvania is another strong contender, being a popular Democrat in an essential swing state. However, Rakich noted some potential challenges, including a past sexual assault settlement in Shapiro’s office, which may require further vetting.
Other names reportedly under consideration include Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Walz is favored by progressives but may not offer much advantage in a state Harris is already likely to win. Buttigieg might need more experience to significantly benefit the ticket, and while Beshear is popular in Kentucky, his selection is unlikely to turn the predominantly red state blue.
The Harris campaign plans for Harris and her vice-presidential pick to begin campaigning together on Tuesday in Philadelphia.
