According to Reuters, two candidates, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, have been officially narrowed down in Kamala Harris’ vice presidential search.
Reuters reported on Monday afternoon that candidates will be informed on Monday night if they have been selected, according to three sources with knowledge of the situation.
Choice Announcement
Harris, President Joe Biden’s VP, is expected to announce her choice by Tuesday, when she and her running mate are scheduled to make their first public appearance at Temple University in Philadelphia.
Then, in five days, Harris and her running mate will visit six additional cities, all of which are in crucial swing states: Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Michigan’s Detroit; North Carolina’s Durham; Savannah, Georgia; Phoenix, Arizona; and, Las Vegas, Nevada, Reuters detailed.
Spokesperson’s Comment
Kevin Munoz, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, attempted to dispel any notions that an official decision had been made on Monday afternoon.
“We understand the excitement and interest here, but VP Harris has made no decision on a running mate yet!” Munoz posted on X, which was previously Twitter.
Spike in Betting Odds
Following Biden’s withdrawal from the race on July 21 and endorsement of his vice president as his replacement, Harris’ search for a running mate quickly began.
According to the most recent betting markets, Shapiro and Waltz saw a significant increase in their odds on the eve of Harris’ highly anticipated choice for vice president.
Significant Improvement
The two governors arose as the leaders in the most recent odds delivered by online sportsbook BetOnline.ag.
Shapiro, who was the clear favorite just 48 hours ago with odds of 1/5 (-500), is now -185, while Walz has made an unexpected leap to +190, which is a significant improvement from his previous odds of 16/1.
Kelly as a Candidate
Prior to Monday, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly was also thought to be a strong candidate.
Even though Harris was concentrating on Shapiro and Waltz, CNN’s M.J. Lee reported Monday afternoon that Kelly, Shapiro, and Walz “remains in the running.”
Shapiro’s Appeal
As the governor of a major swing state, Shapiro, 51, would clearly benefit Harris’ ticket.
Additionally, he might appeal to some more conservative voters because of things like his recent push to lower corporate taxes in Pennsylvania.
Progressive Support
Shapiro likewise has progressive support as he is viewed as a voice for the “common man.”
He took on lenders at the private equity firm Warburg Pincus when he was attorney general of Pennsylvania.
Shapiro’s Views
Shapiro led the lawsuit, which incorporates several states, against the firm, which was blamed for driving buyers into a pattern of debt by charging them for hidden add-on items.
However, Shapiro has been outspoken about his support for Israel’s right to defend itself since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war after the Palestinian militant group launched its deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Democrat Issues
The war has seen approximately 1,200 people killed and approximately 250 taken hostage, many of whom are still in Gaza.
As a result, some Democrats may have a problem with Shapiro’s stance on Israel.
Catching Harris’ Attention
Due to the backing of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders, both of whom caucus with Democrats, Walz, 60, may appeal more to the left.
His attacks on the Republican ticket, including former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance, are said to have also caught Harris’ attention.
Interviewing Candidates
However, Minnesota, the state Walz brings with him, is only regarded as a “second tier” battleground state. The state has consistently voted Democratic, with the last time it voting Republican being in 1972, when former President Richard Nixon won by a wide margin.
Shapiro and Walz were among six who were interviews over the course of the weekend, as per “two people with knowledge of Harris’ selection process” who addressed the Associated Press. Kelly, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear are said to have been the others.
