Insiders have revealed how Kamala Harris is likely to decide who will be her running mate and who is influencing her decision.
The vice president and her pick will embark on a battleground tour next week with stops in seven key states from Pennsylvania to Nevada.
The short list of candidates reportedly includes Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Suggestions have come in from all sides, including from people like former President Barack Obama, and will be taken into consideration along with a thorough interview process. CNN reports.
Harris’ decision to kick off her tour in Pennsylvania has sparked speculation that Shapiro could be her vice president. Her team insists she is still deciding, but a tweet from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker appeared to confirm he was the pick.
Insiders have revealed how Kamala Harris is likely to decide who will be her running mate and who influences her decision.
Part of that process has included video interviews scheduled for Friday and Saturday, sources close to Harris told The New York Times.
A group of lawyers led by former Attorney General Eric Holder and former White House adviser Dana Remus have compiled pages of documents submitted by each of the candidates into briefing books, CNN reports.
Harris and her vice presidential support team, which has already been selected and includes a former Biden aide, are currently reviewing them.
Harris also has faith in Obama, who reportedly called her to deliver his assessment.
But advice has come from all corners, including from his chief of staff in the administration, Lorraine Voles, or his brother-in-law Tony West, or from campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon, who helped Biden select Harris in 2020, who has been offering advice.
The influence of Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, is also said to be vastly underestimated.
Harris reportedly values the way she was welcomed into President Joe Biden’s family shortly after her selection and understands the importance of establishing a personal connection in addition to her typically pragmatic approach.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is said to be on the shortlist.
He, along with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (left) and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (right), are said to have submitted reams of documents that have been compiled into briefing files for Harris.
“I watched his relationship with Biden,” former Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond told CNN.
‘You have to have someone who, first of all, shares your values, but secondly, who you have a good relationship with, because that person is going to be doing their own thing and you have to trust that they know you.’
Harris is also drawing on public perceptions and has been conducting polls and focus groups to help gauge the temperature.
Several of the potential vice presidents, meanwhile, cleared their schedules before the weekend in case Harris called.
They have also been doing everything they can to stay in the public eye until a decision is made.
Shapiro told cheering voters in suburban Philadelphia earlier this week that he believes Harris belongs in the White House.
He also reminded those gathered there of all his work as governor in the disputed state.
The vice president and her pick will embark on a battleground tour next week with stops in seven key states from Pennsylvania to Nevada.
Former President Barack Obama reportedly called Harris to deliver his assessment and offer advice.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (left) and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly (right) are reportedly among those expected to be called for video interviews with Harris.
Meanwhile, Beshear told Georgia voters that Harris has what it takes to be “a great president” and highlighted the elections she won as a Democrat.
But Rep. Barbara Lee, a California Democrat and Harris ally, questioned whether that would have much influence on the final decision.
“I don’t think people speaking out is going to change their minds about their basic decision-making process,” he told the NYT.
According to campaign sources who spoke to the Associated Press, Shapiro and Kelly are among the front-runners.
Harris, according to another person familiar with the matter, is looking for someone with executive experience who could also serve as managing partner.