Who Could Kamala Harris Pick for VP? Here Are 10 Top Candidates

All eyes are on Vice President Kamala Harris following President Joe Biden’s shock decision to withdraw from the 2024 race, with speculation rife over who she might pick as her running mate if she secures the nomination.

Harris quickly emerged as the favorite to succeed Biden as the Democratic Party’s mainstay, but she has yet to offer any major hints about who she would like as a running mate.

Because the time it takes for her to make a decision is so short, she has little time to evaluate all the candidates and ensure they work well together.

But given the internal strife within the party, it appears likely she will rely on the big names within her party who have already generated a lot of attention for the presidency, rather than a lesser-known figure.

Here are 10 people she could choose from.

Pete Buttigieg

Like Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg ran in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary. He was widely considered a star, but he dropped out much later than Harris.

Biden has spoken highly of him and has built a reputation for his sharp oratorical skills.

Gavin Newsom

California Governor Gavin Newsom has long been the subject of much controversy over his presidential candidacy, with speculation rife that he might run for president.

But there is a big catch.

Both Newsom and Harris are from the Golden State, and under the 12th Amendment, both members of a presidential ticket “must not be inhabitants of the same State” if they wish to receive electors from that state.

With a monstrous 54 electoral votes, giving up California would be far too risky. Harris or Newsom would have to move. It’s similar to the hurdle former President Donald Trump would have cleared if he had chosen Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).

Andy Beshear

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has the rare distinction of being a Democratic governor in a ruby-red state. Amid the anti-Biden mutiny, Beshear’s name has been mentioned.

The thinking is that he would be extremely formidable in a general election because of his ability to win in Kentucky. He only won re-election last year.

Gretchen Whitmer

While she publicly shot down rumors that she could replace Biden at the top of the ticket, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said nothing about a vice presidential stint.

Whitmer comes from a state where the outcome is still uncertain, but he could be a major boost for Democrats, who see this as crucial to their chances of winning the presidential election.

JB Pritzker

If money is a concern, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has more than enough to make a serious run. Pritzker, heir to the family fortune of the Hyatt hotel chain, has spent tens of millions of dollars to ensure his own electoral success.

Josh Shapiro

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro sailed easily into the governor’s office after the 2022 midterm elections. And he’s enjoyed remarkably high voter approval ratings ever since.

As governor, he oversaw the rapid rebuilding of Interstate 95 after a bridge collapse last year. He also comes from a critical state where everything is at stake.

Roy Kuiper

Unlike the other swing state governors mentioned as potential choices, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper will soon leave office due to term limits.

North Carolina generally ranks among the seven states with the most criticism of the outcome, but generally receives slightly less attention than the other six states.

Given his impending departure and his history of defeating Republicans, he could be an attractive option for Harris.

Wes Moore

Maryland Governor Wes Moore came into the national spotlight after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in March, and his name has been widely used for presidential buzz ever since.

Moore is new to the governorship, having been sworn in last year.

Elizabeth Warren

If Harris wants to galvanize her progressive base ahead of the election, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) might be the right choice.

Warren was another contender in the 2020 primaries and is widely regarded as one of the most outspoken progressives in the Senate.

Amy Klobuchar

Another option is Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who also ran in the 2020 primaries. Klobuchar ran further than Harris and competed for the party’s more moderate bent.

At times, she has been willing to say no to things like calls for large-scale student loan forgiveness, which could make her more attractive to moderate voters.