Janice R. Andrews
Philly, Pennsylvania – The search for Vice President Kamala Harris’s running partner is getting more intense; two of the top prospects on her shortlist were recently met by her staff. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro have emerged as leading candidates, with an announcement anticipated in a few days, according to people familiar with the screening process.
Important Meetings Indicate Development
This week, Harris’s team met with Kelly and Shapiro, indicating that the screening process is coming to an end. In light of the GOP’s criticism of Harris’s progressive record as California’s attorney general and her 2020 presidential campaign, both men provide special advantages to the Democratic candidate.
In Pennsylvania, Shapiro has proven he is capable of defeating President Joe Biden and winning statewide elections. He prevailed handily over Republican Doug Mastriano in 2022, gaining by a margin of fifteen points and with strong advantages in the suburbs around Philadelphia. This makes him a great asset in Pennsylvania, one of the Democratic Party’s most important battleground states.
Kelly has a different set of qualifications as a former astronaut and war hero. His experience may increase Harris’s appeal, especially when it comes to matters of border security and national security, which are topics on which she has drawn criticism.
Schedules for Campaigns and Conjectures
The Harris campaign has scheduled a schedule of events that will begin on Tuesday in Shapiro’s hometown of Philadelphia. This is consistent with the increased attention being paid to Pennsylvania, highlighting its significance to the Democratic “blue wall.” Shapiro’s unexpected cancelation of this weekend’s scheduled Hamptons fundraising trip added to the rumors. Manuel Bonder, his spokeswoman, clarified that the cancelation had nothing to do with the vice president selection procedure.
“The Governor’s trip was planned several weeks ago and included several fundraisers for his campaign committee,” Bonder stated to DailyMail.com. “His schedule has changed, and he is no longer traveling to the Hamptons this weekend.”
Harris’s Method of Screening
Reports state that Harris did not attend the most recent sessions. Instead, a large portion of the initial screening is being handled by her staff, and Harris is traveling the nation, including many stops in Pennsylvania, to spend time with each possible running mate.
Strategic Points to Remember
Pennsylvania is a key state for the Democratic Party’s electoral strategy since it has 19 electoral votes. Shapiro is a strong candidate because of his track record of winning statewide. Arizona, on the other hand, has 11 electoral votes and a stronger Republican leaning. Since 1952, Arizona has been won by only two Democrats: Bill Clinton and Joe Biden. Despite Harris gaining pace, recent surveys, including as one conducted by Bloomberg/Morning Consult, suggest that former President Donald Trump is ahead in the state by around 4 percent.
Final Thoughts
The attention being paid to Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as Vice President Kamala Harris’s vetting process moves into its latter stages underscores the strategic factors at work. With Pennsylvania’s crucial electoral votes and Arizona’s difficult political environment influencing the outcome, both candidates have clear advantages. With the Harris campaign stepping their attempts to establish their position ahead of the 2024 election, a formal announcement is expected shortly.
