VICE President Kamala Harris has reportedly picked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election.
The news comes two weeks before the Democratic National Convention, at which Harris is expected to be the party’s only presidential candidate.
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CNN announced the decision on Tuesday morning. The outlet’s source reported that Harris hasn’t made the official call to Walz yet.
The vice president historically secured enough delegates to win the presidential nomination days after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race on July 21 and endorsed Harris.
Within 24 hours of her announcing her presidential campaign, a crusade of Democratic officials rallied behind her candidacy.
Harris’ team raised more than $80 million in donations within the first days of her campaign.
This comes as…
- Former president Donald Trump and Harris spar over time and venue for future debate
- Kamala Harris secures enough delegates to win 2024 presidential nomination
- Trump named JD Vance as running mate, deemed the embodiment of Maga
- A new poll shows some voters are afraid Harris is not qualified for the job
- The Harris campaign raised a record $50 million in a single day
Her decision come days after reports claimed she had interviewed six candidates for the role, according to an anonymous source who spoke to The Washington Post.
Three of these reported meetings took place at her Washington DC home as she specifically reserved one-on-one time with Walz, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.
Harris’ shortlist reportedly boiled down to Shapiro and Walz as top Democrats divided their support between the two governors.
Criticism has been launched at Shapiro in recent weeks, notably over his stance on Israel amid the war in Gaza and his handling of ensuing protests
However, while several Democrats have also pointed to Walz as the best candidate, union leaders have thrown Kelly’s name into the mix.
With the race to be Harris’ pick being condensed from the usual months-long process to just a couple of weeks, the battle had reportedly grown bitter, a strategist told The Hill.
The strategist said that the situation has “created a pressure cooker environment” in the Democratic Party despite huge excitement at being able to “pick rising talent from the bench for the ticket.”
What’s next as Kamala Harris picks running mate
KAMALA Harris’ presidential campaign is continuing to pick up pace, announcing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate just weeks after President Joe Biden confirmed he was dropping out, according to sources.
Here’s what’s next for the duo as they hit the campaign trail together:
Both Harris and Walz will appear for their first campaign rally together in Pennsylvania, on Tuesday August 6. It will be the first of seven swing states Harris is expected to travel between over five days – five of which she and Biden flipped blue in 2020 – and what is set to be one of the heaviest weeks of campaign-related travel this election cycle.
These states include:
- Pennsylvania
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- Georgia
- Arizona.
- North Carolina
- Nevada
After her week-long tour around the country, both Harris and her reported running mate, Walz, will hit the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois from August 19 to 22.
It is here that Harris is expected to officially accept the party’s nomination and outline exactly where she and Walz stand on a plethora of issues affecting the American people.
“All opposition research and critique that would normally have time to breathe is being rushed out the door,” they added, noting that the “stakes are high.”
Rumors have run wild as several social media posts seemed to stoke speculation as to who her pick would be.
KELLY’S CONFUSION
Senator Kelly caused confusion when he posted and later deleted a cryptic message on X.
The post suggested Kelly was no longer an option in the running for the ticket.
“My background is a bit different than most politicians,” the deleted post read.
“I spent my life in the Navy and at NASA, where the mission always comes first. Now, my mission is serving Arizonans.”
Kamala Harris’ potential running mates
KAMALA Harris whittled her search for a running mate down to three final candidates on Sunday, interviewing her options and quietly weighing them up with advisers for three straight days.
The 2024 hopeful is expected to announce the final pick on Tuesday, August 6, with the following still in the running:
- Tim Walz: The Nebraska-born governor of Minnesota – who is currently a vice presidential frontrunner – established himself as a moderate Democrat in Congress.
- He served as a representative for Minnesota from 2007 to 2019 and has been the governor of Minnesota ever since.
- Walz is seen as an appealing option for independents and moderate Democrats as a working-class politician with a rural background, Forbes reports.
- Josh Shapiro: Shapiro, the Governor of Pennsylvania, is a rising star within the Democratic Party establishment.
- His stock rocketed after cruising to victory in the 2022 gubernatorial election in the state, defeating Republican rival Doug Mastriano.
- Shapiro’s margin of victory was greater than Joe Biden’s when he defeated Donald Trump in 2020.
- Pennsylvania is one of the swing states that Trump is trying to win.
- Trump allies told NBC News that they think Shapiro would be a super strong running mate for Harris.
- Mark Kelly: Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, 60, is also touted as one of the frontrunners.
- He possesses significant military experience, was a Navy combat pilot, and was formerly an astronaut.
- Allies of Harris believe he could help win over working-class voters as well as retain Arizona.
- Arizona is one of the Sun Belt states the Trump campaign is targeting.
Governor Shapiro was also swept up in chaos as a leaked video from last week appeared to show him as Harris’ official running mate.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker posted the surprising message, however it was unclear if the video was an accidental revealed or an encouragement to Harris.
“I can’t think of a better partner than our Governor Josh Shapiro,” Parker said in the video, but the post’s caption had sparked more interest.
“Proud to be standing with so many leaders for @kamalaharris for President and @joshshapiropa for VP!” the caption said.
BIDEN STEPS DOWN
President Biden upended the Democratic Party when he shockingly announced the end of his reelection campaign, which reportedly caught White House officials by surprise.
Biden admitted to stepping aside for “the best interest” of the Democratic Party.
Democrats on Capitol Hill feared the party’s future was in jeopardy with Biden’s approval rating tanking after the debate.
Biden’s withdrawal came after top Dems and more than 50 national security officials urged him to drop out.
In the weeks since the June 27 presidential debate, reports began to surface that Democratic leaders were holding closed-door meetings with the 81-year-old president and, at times, without him.
Rattled Democratic leaders privately told Biden on several occasions that he needed to step aside and let another candidate take over to challenge the Republican Party, according to The New York Times.
These meetings reportedly included heavyweight Democrats like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
10 Days that Changed America
AN attempted assassination of a former US president, the standing down of a current president, and a political speech by a former wrestler. Senior News reporter Anthony Blair looks back on a crazy 10 days in American politics.
- Saturday, July 13 – Donald Trump is shot during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The Republican frontrunner is hit in the ear but stands up and pumps his fist to the crowd. Shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, is shot dead but the Secret Service is slammed for suspected security blunders. Ex-fire chief Corey Comperatore is killed protecting his family.
- Sunday, July 14 – President Joe Biden calls on Americans to unite and “cool down” political rhetoric in the wake of Trump’s shooting. The Democrat had faced growing calls since his disastrous performance in June’s CNN debate. Shocking video reveals how close Trump came to being killed after turning his head at the last minute.
- Monday, July 15 – The Republican National Convention kicks off in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Trump is formally nominated as the Republican candidate. An emotional-looking Trump makes his first appearance since surviving the shooting wearing a large ear bandage. It quickly becomes a must-have fashion item at the RNC. Ohio Senator JD Vance is named as Trump’s running mate. Previously anti-Trump, Vance at just 39 is an inexperienced choice, but seen as having a connection with ordinary Americans. In an interview, Biden admits it was a “mistake” to talk about putting Trump in “the bullseye” days before the assassination attempt.
- Tuesday, July 16 – The FBI warns of more potential violence in the wake of Trump’s shooting. Intelligence claims Iran had a separate plot to assassinate Trump, but there is no proven link to Crooks. Biden returns to the campaign trail for the first time since the assassination attempt and insists he isn’t stepping down.
- Wednesday, July 17 – Joe Biden tests positive for Covid, just days after saying he would drop out of the presidential race if he was diagnosed with a medical condition. It intensifies the calls for him to step aside with Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom floated as potential replacements. At the RNC, JD Vance makes his first speech since being selected as Trump’s VP pick, to the delight of the MAGA crowd.
- Thursday, July 18 – Donald Trump addresses the RNC, his first speech since surviving an attempted assassination. He appears slower and more subdued than usual but gives the longest convention acceptance speech in US history. Just before he goes on, former wrestler Hulk Hogan rips his shirt off and tells cheering crowds “Trumpomania” will sweep America. Former First Lady Melania, who has barely been seen on the campaign trail, makes an appearance but does not speak. Barack Obama joins calls for Biden to step aside.
- Friday, July 19 – President Biden appears to consider resigning, as a source says he is in a “contemplative stage” while isolating with Covid. Video emerges showing Biden appearing to lean into the wrong woman after mistaking her for his wife Jill. Meanwhile, the world’s biggest tech outage sparks travel chaos for Republicans leaving the RNC in Milwaukee.
- Saturday, July 20 – Donald Trump holds his first campaign rally since the shooting in Butler. He appears in Michigan without his ear bandage. His former doctor Ronny Jackson describes his injuries. He appears in his first interview alongside his running mate Vance. Senior Democrat Nancy Pelosi speaks for the first time since being linked to growing calls for Biden to resign. Meanwhile, Biden’s reelection campaign continues to insist he is running, as a spokesperson slams Trump’s rally remarks as showing he is “focused only on himself.”
- Sunday, July 21 – Joe Biden announces he isn’t running in November in a shock letter, just hours after insisting he was staying in the race. He is the first incumbent to step down in their first term since 1968. Biden endorses Kamala Harris for president as senior Dems through their support behind the Vice President. The news appears to throw the Republicans off their stride. Biden vows to continue his term until November’s election.
- Monday, July 22 – Kamala Harris raises a record $81 million in 24 hours as she secures the Democratic candidacy. She also inherits some $91 million in leftover campaign funds from Biden. Harris gives her first speech since Biden stepped out, and speaks to the president on the phone, although he doesn’t appear in person. Under-pressure Secret Service chief Kimberly Cheatle appears on Capitol Hill and faces increasing calls to resign over the shooting of Trump. She admits the Secret Service “failed” on July 13 and resigns the following day.
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