2024 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection explained

Election Name:2024 Democratic vice presidential nomination
Flag Image:Democratic Disc.svg
Type:primary
Previous Election:2020 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection
Previous Year:2020
Next Election:2028 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection
Next Year:2028
Image1:Tim Walz by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Nominee1:Tim Walz
Color1:1E90FF
Home State1:Minnesota
Vice Presidential nominee
Before Election:Kamala Harris
After Election:Tim Walz

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 2024, considered several prominent individuals before selecting Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate on August 6.[1] Harris and Walz were certified as the official nominees that evening by Democratic National Committee secretary Jason Rae.[2] Walz is the first sitting Democratic governor to be picked as a vice presidential nominee since Charles W. Bryan of Nebraska in 1924[3] and if elected, would be the third vice president from Minnesota after Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale.[4]

After formally accepting their nomination during the 2024 Democratic National Convention on August 21, 2024, in the third day of the convention,[5] the Harris–Walz ticket face the Trump–Vance ticket in the general election.

Background

During Joe Biden's re-election campaign, Kamala Harris was presumed the Democratic Party nominee for a second term as Vice President of the United States. Biden competed in the Democratic presidential primaries facing only token opposition and became the presumptive nominee on March 12. However, amidst concerns about his age and ability to serve as president, Biden withdrew from the election on July 21, and endorsed Harris to replace him as the presidential nominee. Harris launched her own presidential campaign that same day and became the presumptive nominee the following day.

Selection process

Harris secured enough delegate support to become the presumptive nominee on July22.[6] Her campaign's vetting process for potential running mates was conducted by Eric Holder, the former U.S. Attorney General under President Barack Obama, along with his law firm Covington & Burling[7] and Dana Remus, formerly President Biden's White House counsel.[8]

Harris was the only qualified candidate, with a virtual roll call vote taking place from August 1 until August 5.[9]

On August 2, The New York Times reported that former Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Elizabeth M. Allen would lead Harris's running mate team and begin serving as their chief of staff the following day.[10]

The Harris campaign conducted polling and focus groups on the candidates and found that all three finalists could help her win.[11]

Announcement

Politico reported on July 30 that Harris planned to hold a rally with her running mate choice in Philadelphia on August 6, raising speculation that the pick was the governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro; however, a campaign aide for Harris cautioned against causing speculation behind Philadelphia being chosen as the venue for the rally.[12] The New York Times reported that Harris was expected to make an announcement on her running mate choice hours before the Philadelphia rally. On the morning of August 6, awaiting Harris's decision, the United States Secret Service said it was ready to swiftly provide security to whomever the running mate was.[13]

Later on August 6, Harris chose Walz.[13]

Vetting process and developments

An official reported to ABC News on July23 that Kelly and Shapiro were the leading candidates,[14] while another source told Talking Points Memo the following day that Roy Cooper was an additional top choice.[15] On July23, the Financial Times reported that Cooper, Kelly, and Shapiro had become the frontrunners, with donors preferring Cooper or Shapiro and "Hollywood Democrats" backing Kelly.[16]

On July24, The New York Times reported that Walz was also "under serious consideration".[17]

On July26, The Washington Post reported that Cooper, Kelly and Shapiro were at the top of Harris's shortlist according to people close to the campaign.[18] MSNBC also reported that the three frontrunners were reportedly at the top of a shortening list.[19] Bloomberg News, however, reported on July27 that Kelly, Shapiro, and Walz were the three finalists.[20] On July 28, USA Today reported Andy Beshear as "one of the most prominent potential running mates" being vetted by the Harris campaign.[21] On July 29, CNBC reported that Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was on the shortlist as Harris's running mate.[22] On July 29, The New York Times reported Cooper had voluntarily withdrawn his name from consideration.[23]

, Andy Beshear, Mark Kelly, Josh Shapiro, and Tim Walz were reported to be on Harris's shortlist by various media outlets.[24] [25] [26]

On July 30, The Hill reported that several progressive leaders and political groups urged Harris to pick Beshear or Walz as her running mate over Shapiro as an attempt to consolidate key voting groups and the Democratic base.[27] Politico reported on July 30 that Harris planned on interviewing potential running mates in the following days.[12]

The Hill also reported on July 30 that while Harris had not yet finalized her running mate choice, she planned on campaigning with her eventual choice in several battleground states the following week.[28] That same day, CBS News reported that Harris will start interviewing her shortlist candidates as early as the next day, with Beshear, Buttigieg, Kelly, Shapiro and Walz being cited as the campaign's 'top tier' list.[29] However, a report from CNN on the same day cited Kelly, Shapiro and Walz as "top contenders" while people close to the selection process stated that Beshear and Buttigieg were not top contenders despite being "in conversation".[30]

On August 1, NBC News reported that the Harris campaign's vetting team had formally met with six finalists, Beshear, Buttigieg, Kelly, Shapiro, Walz, and Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker.[31] Pritzker had previously denied receiving vetting materials in July;[32] however, towards the end of the month it was reported he had undergone two vetting interviews.[33] That same day, Bloomberg News and Politico reported that Harris's vetting team had met privately with Kelly and Shapiro.[34] The New York Times reported that day that the vetting process, led by Eric Holder, was completed.[35] That same report found that out of the six finalists, Shapiro, Kelly and Walz were considered to be top contenders while acknowledging that Beshear, Buttigieg and Pritzker were part of the six finalists that Harris had narrowed down to.[35] On August 4, Harris interviewed Shapiro, Kelly, and Walz in person at the Number One Observatory Circle, as finalists. Following this, on August 5, it was reported the selection narrowed down to Walz and Shapiro.[36] However, Harris didn't decide on August 5, deciding to "sleep on it" and inform her running mate in the morning.[37] On August 6, Harris chose Walz.[38]

Finalists

On August 4, USA Today reported that the two finalists were Walz and Shapiro.[36]

Shortlist

On August 1, NBC News and The New York Times reported that the final shortlist included Andy Beshear, Pete Buttigieg, Mark Kelly, J. B. Pritzker, Josh Shapiro and Tim Walz.[35] [31]

Formally vetted

The following candidates either reportedly received vetting materials from the Harris campaign on July23, 2024, or were reportedly being considered.[39] [40] [41] Despite being listed as a serious contender, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer stated on July 29 that she never received any vetting materials and declined to be considered, preferring to serve the remainder of her term.[42] [43]

Media speculation on possible candidates

The following were individuals speculated to be in consideration as the running mate of the new presidential nominee, but were not reported to have been vetted or otherwise seriously considered.

Governors

Declined to be considered

The following were noted by media as potential running mates, but either publicly or privately withdrew their names from consideration. Some media outlets said that Whitmer was being vetted, but she denied this and declined to be considered.

Analysis

The selection was described by The New York Times as a proxy war between progressive and moderate Democrats. Progressive activists accused Shapiro and Kelly of being too conservative, specifically on labor issues and the Israel–Hamas war, therefore backing Walz. Moderates defended Shapiro, accusing progressives of antisemitism in their attacks. Both sides seemingly accepted Beshear.[44] An opinion piece in USA Today said that not picking Shapiro would signal support for a progressive platform, and one in The Guardian said picking Shapiro would signal moderation.[45] [46]

Opinion polling

Vice presidential polling
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size
YouGovJuly 29–31, 20241,127 (A)5%12%1%16%–2%8%5%18%34%
LegerJuly 26–28, 2024301 (A)7%11%8%10%2%4%18%––41%
NPR/PBS News/Marist NationalJuly 22–23, 20241,309 (LV)6%21%8%13%6%7%17%21%––
SurveyUSA/FairVoteJuly 8–10, 20242,050 (LV)3%20%3%––5%14%19%12%19%

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Parnes. Amie. Samuels . Brett. Conradis. Brandon . August 6, 2024 . Harris picks Walz for vice president. August 6, 2024 . The Hill . en.
  2. Web site: Nazzaro. Miranda . August 6, 2024 . Harris, Walz officially certified as Democratic nominees for president, vice president . August 6, 2024 . The Hill . en.
  3. Web site: Goldstein . Joel . 2024-08-09 . In Passing on a Swing State VP, Harris Makes a Pick That Fits Recent History . 2024-08-08 . Center For Politics . en.
  4. Web site: Staff . Intelligencer . 2024-08-06 . Tim Walz Has Won the Harris Veepstakes: Live Updates, Analysis . 2024-08-06 . Intelligencer . en.
  5. Web site: Watch DNC live as Tim Walz accepts VP nomination on Day 3 of convention. CBS News.com. EN. August 21, 2024. August 21, 2024.
  6. News: Gambino. Lauren . July 23, 2024 . Kamala Harris earns enough delegate support to become Democratic nominee . July 23, 2024 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077 . July 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240725001806/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/22/kamala-harris-democratic-delegates . live .
  7. News: Mason . Jeff . Renshaw . Jarrett . July 22, 2024 . Former attorney general Holder to vet Harris' potential running mates . July 23, 2024 . Reuters.
  8. Web site: 2024-08-07 . Pritzker sees the writing on the Walz — calls Minnesota governor chosen for VP slot 'kind and decent human being' . 2024-08-07 . WBEZ Chicago . en.
  9. Web site: Navarro . Aaron . July 24, 2024 . Kamala Harris closer to being nominee as DNC approves early virtual roll call vote . August 1, 2024 . CBS News . en . July 31, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240731004143/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kamala-harris-campaign-dnc-virtual-roll-call/ . live .
  10. Web site: Senior U.S. Diplomat Will Lead Kamala Harris's Running Mate's Team. The New York Times. August 2, 2024. August 2, 2024.
  11. News: Goldmacher . Shane . Rogers . Katie . Epstein . Reid J. . Glueck . Katie . 2024-08-07 . How Kamala Harris Trusted Her Gut and Picked Tim Walz . 2024-08-07 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  12. News: Otterbein . Holly . Daniels . Eugene . July 30, 2024 . Harris to hold first rally with running mate Tuesday in Philadelphia . July 30, 2024 . Politico . August 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806130807/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/30/harris-first-rally-running-mate-tuesday-philadelphia-00171999 . live .
  13. Web site: Harris to name her VP running mate . cnn.com . CNN . 6 August 2024 . August 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806130852/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/kamala-harris-trump-election-08-06-24/index.html . live .
  14. News: July 23, 2024 . Josh Shapiro and Mark Kelly said to be leading VP candidates for Harris . Hutzler, Alexandra. Reinstein, Julia. Peller, Lauren. El-Bawab, Nadile. Sarnoff, Leah. Pereira, Ivan. . July 24, 2024 . July 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240725001805/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/biden-drops-out-updates/?id=112113289&entryId=112193865 . live .
  15. Web site: Walker. Hunter. The Petestakes: Everyone's Clamoring For The Empty Seat At Harris' Table. Talking Points Memo. July 24, 2024. July 24, 2024. July 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240725002302/https://talkingpointsmemo.com/where-things-stand/the-petestakes-everyones-clamoring-for-the-empty-seat-at-harris-table. live.
  16. Web site: Shapiro, Kelly and Cooper frontrunners to be Harris's running mate, say donors . Financial Times . July 25, 2024 . July 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240724013243/https://www.ft.com/content/be6fda7e-6ec5-494a-a8ea-fa57a7a1c9f5 . live .
  17. News: Lerer . Lisa . Glueck . Katie . What's More Exciting Than a Veepstakes? A Surprise Veepstakes. . July 24, 2024. The New York Times . July 26, 2024 . July 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726014716/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/24/us/politics/harris-vice-president-search.html#:~:text=Three%20people%20close%20to%20the,they%20warn%2C%20remains%20in%20flux. . live .
  18. News: Harris embarks on sprint to find Democratic running mate. Svitek, Patrick. Pager, Tyler. Diamond, Dan. The Washington Post. July 26, 2024. July 26, 2024. July 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240726193926/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/26/kamala-harris-running-mate-search/. live.
  19. Web site: Search for Kamala Harris' vice presidential running mate narrows with three top options . . July 27, 2024 . July 27, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240727185146/https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/amp-video/mmvo215798853587 . live .
  20. News: July 27, 2024 . Kamala Harris Focuses on Three Potential Running Mate Candidates . July 27, 2024 . Bloomberg.com . en . July 27, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240727160939/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-27/kamala-harris-vice-presidential-search-focuses-on-3-candidates . live .
  21. Web site: Andy Beshear, one of Kamala Harris' potential VP picks, makes campaign stop in pivotal swing state . . July 30, 2024 . August 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806130856/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/07/28/beshear-harris-volunteers-georgia-campaign-event/74579670007/ . live .
  22. Web site: Harris VP short list stacked with contenders who can raise big money . CNBC . July 30, 2024 . July 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240729232716/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/29/harris-vp-shortlist-can-raise-big-money.html . live .
  23. News: Goldmacher . Shane . Epstein . Reid J. . July 29, 2024 . Roy Cooper Is Said to Withdraw From Harris's Vice-Presidential Field . July 29, 2024 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331 . July 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240729225839/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/29/us/politics/roy-cooper-kamala-harris-vp.html . live .
  24. Web site: Rahman . Khaleda . July 19, 2024 . Kamala Harris running mate: Two candidates reportedly rule themselves out . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240721181632/https://www.newsweek.com/kamala-harris-running-mate-two-candidates-1927549 . July 21, 2024 . July 21, 2024 . Newsweek . en.
  25. Web site: July 21, 2024 . A few people are in the running to be VP if Harris becomes the presidential nominee . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240722135851/https://www.wesa.fm/2024-07-21/a-few-people-are-in-the-running-to-be-vp-if-harris-becomes-the-presidential-nominee . July 22, 2024 . July 21, 2024 . 90.5 WESA . en.
  26. News: Doherty . Erin . July 22, 2024 . Who could be Kamala Harris' vice presidential pick . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240722140207/https://www.axios.com/2024/07/21/kamala-harris-vp-pick-running-mate . July 22, 2024 . July 22, 2024 . Axios.
  27. Web site: Progressives urge Harris to consider Beshear, Walz for VP, not Shapiro. The Hill. July 30, 2024. July 30, 2024.
  28. Web site: Harris says she hasn't chosen her running mate yet but is expected to travel with them next week. July 30, 2024. July 30, 2024.
  29. Web site: Kamala Harris focusing on final contenders for her VP pick, sources say. CBS News. July 30, 2024. July 30, 2024. July 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240730230652/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kamala-harris-top-contenders-vice-president-decision/. live.
  30. Web site: Harris nears vice presidential announcement as her team tests out top contenders. CNN. July 30, 2024. July 31, 2023. August 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240806131254/https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/30/politics/harris-vice-presidential-selection/index.html. live.
  31. Web site: Harris campaign has met with 6 potential VP picks as the selection process nears its end. NBC News. August 1, 2024. August 1, 2024. August 1, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240801185210/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/harris-campaign-met-6-potential-vp-picks-selection-process-nears-end-rcna164706. live.
  32. Web site: Kapos. Shia . July 23, 2024. Pritzker says he hasn't received vice presidential vetting material . July 23, 2024. Politico . en . July 23, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240723163917/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/23/pritzker-vice-president-vetting-kamala-harris-00170554 . live .
  33. Web site: J.B. Pritzker had 2 vetting interviews for Vice President this week. WIFR. August 1, 2024. August 1, 2024. August 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240806131357/https://www.wifr.com/2024/08/01/jb-pritzker-had-2-vetting-interviews-vice-president-this-week/. live.
  34. Web site: Harris interviewing VP finalists, decision coming in days. USA Today. August 1, 2024. August 1, 2024. August 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240806131314/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/01/kamala-harris-vice-president-running-mate-interviews/74613486007/. live.
  35. Web site: Vetting of Harris V.P. Picks Is Said to Be Complete. The New York Times. August 1, 2024. August 1, 2024. August 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240806131406/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/08/01/us/trump-harris-election-news. live.
  36. Web site: Bose . Nandita . Kamala Harris' running mate choice narrows to Tim Walz, Josh Shapiro, sources say . USA Today . August 5, 2024 . August 5, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240805173234/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/05/kamala-harris-running-mate-tim-walz-josh-shapiro/74675106007/ . live .
  37. Web site: 2024-08-07 . Picking a running mate: Inside the 16 days between Kamala Harris' launch and her choice of Tim Walz . 2024-08-07 . Associated Press . en.
  38. Web site: Five things to know about Tim Walz . Associated Press . August 6, 2024.
  39. Web site: Roche. Darragh . July 23, 2024 . Kamala Harris' running mate selection narrows: Report . July 23, 2024 . Newsweek . en . July 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240723105503/https://www.newsweek.com/kamala-harris-running-mate-selection-narrows-report-1928839 . live .
  40. Web site: July 23, 2024 . Reports: Gov. Andy Beshear one of four candidates being vetted by Harris campaign . July 23, 2024. whas11.com . en-US. July 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240725001312/https://www.whas11.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/report-gov-andy-beshear-asked-to-submit-vetting-materials-vp-kamala-harris/417-6487ff84-ad75-451f-8f7a-e259861f1dfd . live .
  41. News: Irvine . Bethany . Playbook PM: Wray shares new details about Trump shooter. July 24, 2024 . Politico . July 24, 2024. July 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240725001340/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook-pm/2024/07/24/wray-shares-new-details-about-trump-shooter-00132333 . live .
  42. Web site: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: I have not been vetted as Kamala Harris' running mate. People. July 29, 2024. August 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240806131257/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/07/29/whitmer-on-harris-vice-president-vetting/74586107007/. live.
  43. Web site: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she's "not a part of the vetting" for Harris' VP pick. CBS. July 29, 2024. August 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240806131409/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gretchen-whitmer-vice-presidential-pick-vetting/. live.
  44. News: Live Election Updates: Harris, Having Met With V.P. Finalists, Is Set to Unveil Choice by Tuesday Morning . The New York Times . August 5, 2024 . August 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806131800/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/08/05/us/harris-trump-election#kamala-harris-vp-democrats-divided . live . Corasaniti . Nick .
  45. Web site: Harris' VP pick will set the tone for Democrats. It needs to be progressive. . USA Today . August 5, 2024 . August 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806131801/https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2024/08/04/harris-vice-president-pick-kelly-shapiro-walz-democrats/74637119007/ . live . Pequeño, Sara. August 4, 2024.
  46. News: Who is Josh Shapiro, Kamala Harris's potential vice-presidential pick? . The Guardian . August 5, 2024 . Pengelly . Martin .

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