Who will throw their hat into the ring to run in opposition to Kamala Harris?
President Joe Biden has given his full throated endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a certainty that the former California senator will receive the party’s nomination in August.
Biden, 81, shocked the world Sunday in announcing that he wouldn’t be running again in 2024. He immediately announced that he would be supporting Harris’ as his replacement.
Following that development, small donors swarmed around Harris, 59, donating nearly $50 million to her campaign. In addition, it’s likely that Harris, 59, will have access to the moneys already raised by Biden for his reelection.
That would leave her with a war chest of around $150 million.
In addition to raising money, Harris also earned the support many in the Democratic Party, notably the Clinton family as well as some whose names were mooted as possible challengers to her at the Democratic National Convention.
There are still several big names within the Democratic Party who have not thrown their weight behind Harris. Notably former President Barack Obama, his support for another candidate could throw a spanner in the works.
Some in the party have indicated their support for a more open selection process, despite Biden appearing to anoint a successor.
Who could throw their hat into the ring in an attempt to gain party support before August?
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Although yet to publicly endorse Harris, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is likely to add her much needed support in a must-win state for the Democrats
One of the most popular governors in the country and with a rising national profile, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, 52, has yet to publicly endorse Kamala Harris.
On Sunday evening, CBS News reported that it’s unlikely that Whitmer will mount a campaign challenge.
Whitmer, who has held office since 2019 and been a Biden loyalist, did warn that the president would have hard time winning Michigan in the aftermath of his disastrous debate performance in June.
Politico reported on Monday morning that Whitmer participated in a call with Harris staffers which included her offering her support in the battleground state.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear with his wife Britainy Beshear celebrating his re-election in November 2023
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has yet to endorse Harris but has seen his name mentioned my multiple media sources in his home state as a potential vice presidential candidate.
Like other Democratic governors, Beshear, 46, has seen his name mentioned as a possible running mate for Harris.
Biden lost Kentucky by a wide margin in 2020 so it’s unlikely the governor could help out in that regard.
However, he could offer an attractive counter balance to Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance’s appeal to voters in the rust belt.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore
Maryland Governor Wes Moore thanked President Joe Biden for his service in a message but did not endorse Vice President Kamala Harris
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, 45, has yet to endorse Harris but has still seen his name mentioned as a potential running mate.
It’s unlikely Moore would have the national profile to raise campaign funds necessary to challenge Harris for the nomination.
Moore did issue an endearing statement following Biden’s announcement.
‘His legacy of hard work, dedication, optimism, and strength have shaped the trajectory of our nation – and made us better as a people and as a country,’ he wrote in part.
CBS News reports that Moore will endorse Harris later on Monday, leading to further speculation that he could be in line for the vice presidential nomination.
In an appearance on Face the Nation in June, Moore said that he would not seek the nomination in 2024 while Biden was party leader.
Possible vice presidential picks:
California Governor Gavin Newsom
California Governor Gavin Newsome seemingly dispelled rumors about a potential run for the White House in being quickly to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy
Long considered to be the great-white-hope of the Democratic Party, California Governor Gavin Newsom, 56, was being mooted by some as Biden’s replacement before Sunday’s shock announcement.
Newsom was quick to endorse Harris, indicating that he’s not thinking about a run in 2024.
‘Tough. Fearless. Tenacious,’ he wrote on X.
‘With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President, @KamalaHarris,’ he wrote.
However on Monday, a Democratic pollster circulated a memo within party circles indicating that Newsom would be in a strong position if he chose to get in the race, reports Politico.
The data in the memo reportedly shows that Newsom and Harris are both trailing Trump by two points.
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly
Senator Mark Kelly, shown here with his wife Gabby Giffords, says the couple are fully behind Harris in 2024
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, 60, a darling of the Democratic Party for years, has endorsed Harris ahead of the 2024 election.
‘I couldn’t be more confident that Vice President @KamalaHarris is the right person to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country into the future,’ Kelly wrote on X.
‘She has my support for the nomination, and Gabby [Giffords] and I will do everything we can to elect her President of the United States.’
This has led Kelly to be under consideration to be vice president with Arizona likely to be an important swing state once again.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg
Biden loyalist Pete Buttigieg, considered by many to have a bright future in the Democratic Party, is behind Harris
The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has held a reasonably high profile in the Biden administration since taking over as the secretary for transportation.
Peter Buttigieg, 42, a Biden loyalist, has echoed the president in endorsing Harris’ candidacy.
‘Kamala Harris is now the right person to take up the torch, defeat Donald Trump, and succeed Joe Biden as president,’ he wrote on X.
Early betting odds show that Buttigieg is the favorite to be Harris’ running mate. The secretary ran a brief presidential campaign in 2020 before dropping out and supporting Biden.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, shown here with Kamala Harris earlier this month, was one of the first governors to support the vice president’s candidacy
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, 51, threw his support behind Harris on Sunday, not long after Biden’s announcement.
This would make a primary challenge unlikely, barring some unforeseen circumstances.
‘I’ve known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades – 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.
‘Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support and she will continue the work of generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance real freedom.’
She has served the country honorably as Vice President and she is ready to be President,’ he said in a statement.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper
Harris, Biden and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper pictured at an event in March 2024
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, 67, has issued a message of support for Harris’ candidacy on Sunday evening.
‘Kamala Harris should be the next President. I’ve known @VP going back to our days as AGs, and she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country thoughtfully and with integrity.,’ he wrote.
‘I look forward to campaigning for her as we work to win NC up and down the ticket.’
His name is now being bandied about as a potential vice president.
Last week, Cooper stumped for Harris during her appearance in Fayetteville, gaining applause with his line: ‘He’s a convicted felon, a chronic liar and the king of chaos. Do we want Donald Trump’s America?’
In her speech, Harris called Cooper ‘a dear friend.’
