With President Joe Biden now out of the race for reelection in 2024, the changing political scene puts into focus one question: who will take the vice presidential slot. With Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the overwhelming front-runner for the Democratic nomination, there is heavy speculation around her possible running mate. The same goes for vice presidential candidates for other high-profile individuals, like Michelle Obama and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Kamala Harris: Potential running mates
With Biden’s endorsement, Kamala Harris is now in a position to lead the Democratic ticket. She can do this only by picking a vice presidential running mate who would center her strengths and substitute for her weaknesses. Here are some of the most discussed candidates:
- Mark Kelly, the Senator from Arizona: Kelly is a former astronaut who flipped a Republican seat in the state of Arizona. He will be seen as one of the stronger candidates in this regard because of his bipartisan appeal and connections to an important swing state. His endorsement of Harris points out party unity and his specific capability of attracting moderate voters.
- Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan: Whitmer would be the key name from one of the crucial battleground states. Her experience and likability could help Harris cement voters in Michigan—something critical to a Democratic victory.
- Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina: With experience in what has generally been a Republican state, Cooper makes for an endearing candidate. He would be able to forge ties with the electorate in North Carolina, and those would be important for the Democratic ticket.
- Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky: Beshear won re-election in a very red state, which speaks to his ability to attract a wide swath of voters. His youth and coalition-building skills could invigorate the ticket.
- J.B. Pritzker, Governor of Illinois: He is a billionaire and brings substantial funds to the table that could be leveraged in significant ways to finance and support the campaign, though he hails from a reliably Democratic state.
- Raphael Warnock, Senator, Georgia: Warnock’s victory in Georgia can help Harris reach out to Black voters and set another key swing state aflame.
- Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation: With national name recognition as a presidential candidate, Buttigieg’s eloquent messaging can make him an attractive pick for Harris—especially among more youthful voters.
Certainly, any decision Harris is going to make will have to be based on strong factors: state representation, demographic appeal, and the likelihood of party unification ahead of the election.
Michelle Obama: The VP speculation
Although Michelle Obama has reiterated many times that she is not going to run, her name is constantly on the lists that look toward the presidency. If she does decide to be vice president, she’ll most likely choose someone who will improve her chances by having different backgrounds represented on her ticket.
It must be taken into consideration, however, that Michelle Obama has stated many times her commitment to apolitical causes and has shown no interest in political candidacy. Her role in the campaign would thus be supportive rather than participative in nature. Her role would be focused much on voter registration and advocacy rather than running for an office herself.
Gavin Newsom: Potential Vice Presidents
As one of the higher-ranking Democrats, Governor Gavin Newsom could also become a presidential candidate. His running mate would probably be drawn from among those people who would be only progressive enough to assuage his values while still being palatable to moderate voters. Some potential candidates may include:
- Padilla has been appointed to the Senate seat Kamala Harris is vacating and could continue—along with provide real representation for California, a must-win state in any Democratic campaign.
- Katie Hobbs, Governor of Arizona: Experience counts for something; here, it shores up the votes in increasingly important-in-national-elections Arizona.
- Michelle Lujan Grisham, the Governor of New Mexico: Governor Grisham headed a state that has all minorities combined—the minorities of the nation—or a pretty good example of the diversity of the country. This could help in a way that reaches out to voters who are looking for representation and inclusiveness. Val Demings, ex-congresswoman of Florida, brought her into the national spotlight and could deliver Florida, a critical battleground state.
In other words, choosing the appropriate vice presidential running mate is as important a decision as any Kamala Harris will have to make, and there are names being bandied about for the position within the Democratic Party. While all the speculation circles around Michelle Obama’s potential involvement, she stays focused on the advocacy side, not in electoral politics. Should Gavin Newsom join, he would have to decide on a running mate who can firm up his ticket to appeal to large sections of the electorate. It will be key for the future configuration of the party and its leadership at the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
