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It took Vice President Kamala Harris less than two full days after President Biden dropped out of the presidential race to secure enough delegates to become the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
But now the Democratic presidential ticket needs a vice presidential candidate, just weeks before delegates are due to formally vote on nominations and just over 100 days before the election.
Several governors, lawmakers and other Democratic Party leaders have been floated as possible running mates.
Harris has requested materials from several potential candidates, including Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
Notably absent from the list were several other prominent names that have been mentioned in the past 32 hours, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
It is not yet clear whether other potential candidates will be asked for material in the future.
Here’s what those reportedly under investigation are saying about the race and his second spot on the Democratic ticket:
Governor Josh Shapiro
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s name often comes up as a Democrat with a bright political future and possible aspirations for the White House.
The 51-year-old governor of the battleground state was one of the first Democratic leaders to oppose replacing Biden following his shaky debate performance, but it is unclear whether he would join Harris’ ticket.
Governor Josh Shapiro with Vice President Kamala Harris in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 13
In a statement Sunday, Shapiro endorsed Vice President Harris for the nomination.
“I’ve known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades – we’ve both been prosecutors, we’ve both stood up for the rule of law, we’ve both fought for the people and gotten results,” he wrote.
“Kamala Harris is a patriot who deserves our support and will continue to work for the generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance real freedom,” he said in a statement. “She has served the country honorably as vice president and is ready to be president,” he continued.
The Keystone State governor said the best path forward for the Democratic Party is to “quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency.”
He promised he would do everything he could to help elect Harris as the next president.
Governor Roy Cooper
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has won his state in two elections, while Trump won the state in the presidential race. He is now term-limited and preparing to leave office. On Sunday, he endorsed Harris.
His addition to the Democratic presidential ticket could bring North Carolina closer to the Democrats. He has also frequently appeared with Biden and Harris on the campaign trail.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper speaks at a Biden Harris campaign event in Greensboro, North Carolina, on July 11.
Cooper, 67, praised Biden for passing transformative legislation that will benefit the economy, families and the country for generations.
“I am deeply grateful to be able to call President Joe Biden a friend, and I believe he holds dear to my heart his service to our great nation,” he concluded.
In a separate post on X, Cooper endorsed Harris.
“Kamala Harris should be the next president,” Cooper wrote. “I’ve known her since we were attorneys general and she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country with thoughtfulness and integrity. I look forward to campaigning for her as we work to win in North Carolina at every level.”
Cooper spoke with Harris on Sunday. He said they talked about winning the election.
Asked about her joining the ticket on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Cooper said Monday that the conversation should remain focused on Harris. He said the conversation about the vice presidential pick should happen later.
“I want to make sure Kamala Harris wins,” he said. Cooper said Harris’s position at the top of the ticket changes the dynamic in North Carolina.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has often been mentioned as one of the possible future leaders of the Democratic Party. She also hails from a battleground state and was a co-chair of Biden’s campaign.
She said her job in the election will continue to be to do everything she can to elect Democrats and stop Trump.
The 52-year-old governor, in her second term, praised Biden after his exit from the race by writing her ‘‘The remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, address climate change and ensure America’s global leadership for decades to come will go down in history.’
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vowed to do everything she can to help elect Democrats and defeat Trump
“My job in this election will remain the same: do everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising costs for families, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own bills is completely wrong for Michigan,” she concluded.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Harris on Monday with a statement that the vice president has her full support.
“In Vice President Harris, Michigan voters have a presidential candidate they can trust to focus on lowering their costs, restoring their freedoms, bringing jobs and supply chains back from overseas, and building an economy that works for working people,” Whitmer wrote.
“She’s a former prosecutor, a champion of reproductive freedom, and I know she stands with Michigan,” Whitmer continued.
However, when asked if she would join the ticket, Whitmer told a local Michigan reporter that she would not be going anywhere.
Senator Mark Kelly
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly’s name has also been mentioned as a possible running mate.
The 60-year-old senator and retired astronaut from the key battleground state praised President Biden after his exit from the race and expressed his support for Harris.
“I couldn’t be more confident that Vice President Kamala Harris is the right person to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country into the future,” he wrote on X. “She has my support for the nomination, and Gabby and I will do everything we can to elect her President of the United States.”
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly praised Biden’s leadership and announced he will endorse Harris for president
Kelly called Biden “one of the most important presidents in history” and praised him as “someone who puts what he believes is best for his country above everything else.”
Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz represents a state that has been leaning Democratic but that Republicans had been eyeing as one that could potentially flip in November.
The 60-year-old governor has been using the media to defend Harris since Biden dropped out of the race after endorsing her for president on Monday.
“I’ve known Vice President Kamala Harris for years and have watched her strengthen national security, protect reproductive rights, and pass historic legislation. As a prosecutor running against a convicted felon, no one is better qualified to unite our party and take on Donald Trump,” he wrote on X.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Monday endorsed Harris for president.
Governor JB Pritzker
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has often been suggested as a Democratic leader with greater political aspirations.
The 59-year-old billionaire endorsed Harris in a statement on Monday. In it, Pritzker wrote that he was genuinely surprised that Biden had stepped aside. He called it a “selfless decision.”
“Vice President Harris has demonstrated throughout that she possesses the skills, strength, and character to lead this country and the vision to improve the lives of all Americans,” he wrote.
Pritzker praised Harris as the most qualified and capable person to be the next president and vowed to help her get elected.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has been mentioned as a possible running mate for Harris, but he said he has not received any research material.
He also highlighted his time working on Hillary Clinton’s campaign before being elected governor and said he believes it is time for the United States to elect a woman president.
But when asked about his selection process on Tuesday, the governor told MSNBC’s Morning Joe that he had not received any vice presidential selection materials. He said he loves being governor of Illinois.
