6 Democrats who could be VP picks for Harris

(The Hill) — Vice President Harris is the most obvious successor to President Joe Biden should he withdraw from the Democratic ticket amid mounting pressure, a situation that would immediately raise the question of who would be Harris’s running mate.

Here are some of the possible picks.

Andy Beshear

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who has also been discussed as a replacement for Biden, might be the ideal second banana on a Harris ticket.

Beshear, 46, represents one of the most conservative states in the country, and just won an impressive reelection victory last year, boosting his profile on the national stage.

He’s one of the most popular governors in the country and one of the youngest, which coupled with Harris, 59, would introduce a much more youthful ticket to one headed by Biden or, for that matter, former President Donald Trump.

“He’s young, handsome, smart, popular, wins a red state convincingly,” said Democratic strategist Jon Reinish.

Beshear has said he plans to remain governor amid the speculation and has not had any conversations about serving, but he left open some room for joining.

“I feel like we’re on a roll here in Kentucky, and this job is more than enough for me, that I could fulfill this next term, which I fully intend to and be happy if this is the last public service role I ever had,” he told reporters. “But I’ve said before, the only way I’d step away from this role is if I felt like I could help the commonwealth even more through some other opportunity.”

Roy Cooper

Cooper’s governorship has been a bright spot for Democrats in recent years in North Carolina, a state that the party has hoped to flip blue in presidential and Senate races but fallen just short a few times.

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Putting him on the ticket might put the Tar Heel State in play for Democrats, who haven’t won the state in a presidential election since 2008.

Cooper, 67, was elected governor in 2016 and 2020 despite Trump having won the state’s electoral votes both times and a Republican-dominated legislature.

Reinish said putting Cooper, who is term-limited this year, on the ticket could give Democrats another more realistic chance at winning or at least seriously competing in the state.

Two sources close to the Biden-Harris campaign told The New York Times that Cooper is one of the top favorites for a possible Harris presidential candidacy. Beshear is also reportedly one of the top names, but Cooper’s state is much more likely to be in play, which could be an edge.

Harris and Cooper appeared together on Thursday for a Biden campaign rally in North Carolina.

Josh Shapiro

Shapiro, 51, has been frequently discussed as a possible Harris running mate.

He’s seen as a rising Democratic star, and he governs one of the key swing states in the country.

If he doesn’t join the ticket, he’ll be seen as a potential presidential candidate down the road.

Shapiro comfortably won election in 2022 to become Pennsylvania governor. He has a reputation as a more moderate Democrat, as does Biden, but he ran and won on key liberal issues like protecting reproductive rights.

Democratic strategist Adrian Hemond said Shapiro would be at the top of his list of possible choices, as he would lean into the idea of a ticket that represents “generational change.” He said Shapiro could also detail his accomplishments.

After the collapse of a bridge in Philadelphia last year, Shapiro worked to devote $7 million for repairs that helped reopen Interstate 95. On Friday, he declared success in working with a divided legislature, the only one in the country, to reach a bipartisan budget agreement with major initiatives and lower taxes.

“He also has a story about competence to tell,” Hemond said. “He’s got pretty good numbers himself in Pennsylvania, so there’s a pretty good chance that he could deliver the state where he seems to be popular.”

J.B. Pritzker

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, 59, will be welcoming fellow Democrats to Chicago next month for the Democratic National Convention.

Another rising star who has been included in conversations about possible Biden replacements, Pritzker would bring executive experience to a ticket. He’d also bring a lot of money. Pritzker is worth an estimated $3.5 billion and could self-fund a campaign.

Pritzker has been publicly supportive of Biden in the aftermath of last month’s debate, but he was recently heard on a hot mic saying, “We’re going to do what we have to do. I don’t like where we are.” A spokesperson for the governor’s office confirmed he was talking about the status of the presidential race.

He would have a record to run on as a leader with a range of liberal victories, including protecting abortion access and gun control. He would also bring geographic diversity as a Midwesterner but may not have as much appeal to swing voters as a governor of a solidly blue state.

Gretchen Whitmer

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, 52, is often discussed as a future Democratic presidential candidate.

Her easy reelection victory in 2022 brought with it a Democratic trifecta, and she now leads a state firmly in Democratic control.

Whitmer said on “The View” on Tuesday that she would be “eager” to support Harris if Biden steps aside.

She said she is committed to serving out her term as governor but would “never say never” as to serving as a vice presidential candidate.

Would Democrats want an all-woman ticket? It would be historic, but it also might make some delegates nervous about winning.

“I think it would be a winning ticket because I think Gretchen Whitmer is extraordinary,” Reinish said, adding that she is “super popular” and “dynamic.”

Hemond said he wouldn’t be surprised if she was offered the position but would not expect her to accept, as other paths may better lead to the White House in the future if she has those ambitions.

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Gavin Newsom

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has become increasingly prominent in the party, and he has been considered one of the main choices to become the nominee if it’s not Biden.

But a few complications would exist if he were the choice to be Harris’s running mate.

The Constitution makes it difficult for individuals from the same state to run as president and vice president. In the case of Newsom and Harris, voters in the Electoral College from California would be prohibited from voting for both of them since they are both officially residents of the Golden State.

The issue has come up before and solved with one candidate changing their residency to another state, but it’s not clear that would come off well politically for Harris and Newsom.

Two Californians running for office could be easy fodder for Republican attacks, as they often slam the state for its liberalism and accused elitism. It also would not have as much geographic appeal to swing voters in key states, with both candidates coming from a state not in play in November.

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