There is already competition to be Kamala Harris’ running mate. Soon after President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race on Sunday and backed his vice president, rumors started to circulate around Kamala Harris’ potential running mate. A few Democrats began to voice their preferences. Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, for example, “would be an excellent choice” to join the ticket, according to former congressman and head of the Philadelphia Democratic Party Bob Brady.

According to a person familiar with the discussions, governors Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Andy Beshear of Kentucky are both being considered as running partners. Additionally, according to a Democratic strategist close to the White House, Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) is being considered. Anonymity was extended to the populace so they may freely discuss the new political climate.

“The question is: who can beat Trump in their home state?” stated the close to the White House Democratic strategist. The strategist pointed out that Kelly’s distinct background—having flown combat missions in the Navy and commanded the International Space Station as an astronaut—is drawing attention. Kelly easily won reelection in a state that Biden carried four years prior. His spouse, the late Representative Gabby Giffords, has emerged as a hero to local Democratic groups battling gun violence following her own shooting at a reelection rally. She sustained serious injuries in the incident.

The strategist remarked of Harris, “The good thing is she’s got a lot of unbelievable options.” All of the names that have been suggested have expressed support for Biden’s decision to stand down; in fact, some of them have already declared their support for Harris to be the nominee.

Here is a quick list of possible vice presidential contenders along with their comments following Biden’s historic announcement on Sunday.

1. Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania

Shapiro, 51, has been Pennsylvania’s attorney general since 2017 as well as a county commissioner and state lawmaker. He has been governor since 2023. Should Harris select Shapiro, it might garner additional votes from a swing state that Democrats must win if they hope to keep the White House.

According to Shapiro on X, “President Biden is a patriot who has honorably served our country in the Senate, as Vice President, and as one of the most consequential presidents in modern history.” On Sunday, Shapiro also declared his support for Harris as the nominee and urged his party members to come together in support of her.

“We’ve both been prosecutors, we’ve both stood up for the rule of law, we’ve both fought for the people and delivered results,” he said in a statement on X. “I’ve known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades.” “Kamala Harris deserves our support as a patriot.”

2. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona

Kelly, 60, was a NASA astronaut and a Navy combat pilot before becoming a senator in 2020. He serves a crucial battleground state and is married to former Representative Gabby Giffords. He became the first Democrat to hold the seat since 1962 when he defeated longtime Republican Martha McSally in a special election held four years ago to fill the seat vacated by former Sen. John McCain. Easy enough, he was re-elected after two years.

His greater authority to talk on immigration problems as a border state Democrat is a huge asset, especially as Republicans continue to hammer Harris on the topic.

“On X, Kelly expressed her unwavering confidence in Vice President @KamalaHarris’s ability to unseat Donald Trump and steer our nation towards the future.” “I fully support her nomination, and Gabby and I will exert every effort to elect her as the next President of the United States of America.”

3. Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan

Since 2019, Whitmer, 52, has held the office of governor. She has held positions in the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives before then. Since she emerged victorious in the 2022 battleground state gubernatorial race by roughly 11 points, she has been regarded as a possible 2028 successor.

Michigan played a pivotal role in Biden’s 2020 presidential ascent, following former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s narrow defeat in the state in 2016. It is also said that on Sunday, she pledged her support behind Harris.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan stated on X that “President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump.” “My goal in this election will not change: I will do everything in my power to elect Democrats and defeat Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose plans to increase family expenses, outlaw abortion nationwide, and misuse the White House to settle personal grudges are wholly inappropriate for Michigan.”

4. Andy Beshear, the governor of Kentucky

Beshear, 46, was chosen as governor in 2019 and just secured a five-point victory in November to run for reelection. This was a big success for Democrats in a state that is overwhelmingly red. In 2015, Beshear was also chosen to serve as the state’s attorney general. Beshear is a member of Kentucky’s political nobility and has a mediocre background. In the heavily Republican state, his father, Steve Beshear, too overcame the odds as a Democrat to win the governorship in 2007 and 2011.

“Although it was not an easy decision to make today, it is what is best for our nation and party. Beshear expressed her gratitude to him on X for his “leadership, kindness, and successful presidency that accomplished big, important things.”

5. Roy Cooper, the governor of North Carolina

Term constraints keep Cooper, 67, from seeking reelection as governor of North Carolina, where he has held the position since 2017. He had previously held positions in the House and Senate of North Carolina in addition to serving 16 years as the state’s attorney general. Cooper’s name has been brought up by Rep. Jim Clyburn as a potential future Democratic leader. “He is a guy that I would keep my eyes on, if I were you guys in the media,” Clyburn stated to POLITICO.

The Biden campaign has shifted its focus to North Carolina in the hopes that it may revert to its previous status as a swing state, after Trump won the state by less than two percentage points in 2020.

Cooper stated on X that “President Biden has cemented his place among our nation’s finest Presidents.” “President Biden stood strong as the rarest kind of leader who could help us forge ahead with a vision to repair our country’s soul when our democracy faced danger.”

6. Gavin Newsom, the governor of California

Since 2019, Newsom, 56, has served as governor. She was a well-known spokesperson for Biden. Before that, he was the lieutenant governor of California and the mayor of San Francisco. Though Newsom is frequently mentioned as a possible presidential contender, he would have a difficult time supporting Harris because of their shared Californian roots. Members of the Electoral College cast ballots for the president and vice president in accordance with the 12th Amendment, however one of them “shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves.” This implies that California would forfeit all 54 Electoral College votes if Harris selected Newsom as his running mate.

“On X, Newsom stated that President Biden has been an incredible, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans.” “His legacy as a president will be one of the most profound and selfless in history.” As he stated on X, “no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision,” Newsom has already endorsed Harris.

7. JB Pritzker, the governor of Illinois

Because of his reputation within the party and his capacity for independent fundraising, 59-year-old Pritzker is considered a potential presidential contender. His family founded the empire of Hyatt hotels. Prior to serving in the second term as governor, he was involved in Democratic fundraising circles. During his first time as governor, Pritzker began a pattern of publicly criticizing Trump in an attempt to pressure him to act more quickly on the delivery of personal protective equipment during the pandemic.

Pritzker focused on Trump in his remarks over Biden’s resignation, adding, “Donald Trump is a racist, homophobe, and misogynist who has been found guilty of sexual assault 34 times. He does not support Harris.” In addition to threatening the core American values we cherish, Trump boasts about robbing women of their freedom of choice and wants to deny healthcare to tens of millions of people. His proposed economic policies will also cost the middle class thousands of dollars annually.

8. Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland

Moore, 45, was elected as Maryland’s first Black governor in 2023 and is thought to be a potential White House contender in the future. The 45-year-old governor also boasts a remarkable background as a Rhodes Scholar, New York Times bestselling author, war veteran, and former CEO of the anti-poverty Robin Hood foundation.

Moore wrote on X, “President Biden has dedicated his life and career to serving the American people.” “His legacy of perseverance, strength, optimism, and hard work has shaped our nation’s trajectory and improved us as a people and a nation.”

9. Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation

Pete Buttigieg, a former Democratic presidential candidate in 2020, has also publicly supported Harris. “The right person to take up the torch, defeat Donald Trump, and succeed Joe Biden as President,” he declared in a statement on X. As the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Buttigieg, 42, was referred to by his followers as “Mayor Pete” and served as Secretary of Transportation. Additionally, he is the first member of the presidential cabinet to be publicly gay. Buttigieg served in Afghanistan and is a Rhodes Scholar as well.