Kamala Harris Nears Decision On Running Mate — Josh Shapiro, Mark Kelly And Tim Walz Interviewed

Vice President Kamala Harris is in the final stages of selecting her running mate, with three top contenders in the spotlight. An official announcement is reportedly anticipated as early as Monday.

What Happened: As reported by Reuters, Harris has interviewed Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro at her Washington, D.C., residence. The chosen candidate will be notified of their selection on Monday night or Tuesday morning.

Harris met with her vetting team on Saturday, which included former Attorney General Eric Holder. The team presented comprehensive reports on each of the finalists. Harris also had a 90-minute meeting with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Friday and is conducting virtual meetings with other potential running mates.

The running mate selection is a crucial decision for Harris as she gears up to challenge Donald Trump in the upcoming Nov. 5 election. The shortlist includes candidates known for their appeal to rural, white, or independent voters. The decision will also significantly influence the future direction of the Democratic Party.

See Also: Trump’s Ex-Lawyer Rudy Giuliani Cleared From Bankruptcy After Fee Dispute Settled

Why It Matters: The selection of a running mate has been a topic of intense speculation and debate. Harris’ choice will play a significant role in her bid to counter Trump’s challenge.

Among the top contenders, Shapiro has faced criticism from progressive groups over his support for Israel and his handling of college protests sparked by the war in Gaza. This has led to concerns being raised by Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) about Shapiro’s potential selection.

Despite the criticism, a recent poll showed that Kelly is favored by voters as the VP pick for Harris, with Shapiro, Beshear, and Buttigieg tied as second favorites.

Image via Shutterstock

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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Shivdeep Dhaliwal