Harris Campaign's VP Pick: Seven Democrats in the Spotlight; Illinois' Pritzker Not Included

Illinois wonders about omission as Harris campaign moves forward with key vetting process for Vice Presidential slot

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ILLINOIS - The campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris is actively reviewing potential candidates for her vice-presidential running mate, requesting vetting materials from seven prominent Democrats, as revealed by a source close to the process. This marks a significant step in Harris' efforts to solidify her campaign strategy following President Joe Biden's unexpected withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.

Among those under consideration are North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and former Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is notably absent from this list.

Cedric Richmond, a former top aide in the Biden administration, has emerged as a less-discussed but serious contender. Richmond downplayed his chances in an interview with a New Orleans TV station, stating, "I would color that doubtful." Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also attempted to distance herself from the speculation, telling a local TV station that she is "not leaving Michigan."

The list shared by the source notably excludes Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, both of whom have been previously speculated as possible running mates. Despite this, Beshear revealed on MSNBC that he had conversations with Vice President Harris following Biden's departure from the race. Further complicating the picture, ABC News reported that Beshear is indeed among those asked for vetting materials.

Another surprising ommission from the vetting list is Illinois Governor JB Pritzker who has endorsed Harris for the presedential nomination. While many people had talked the governor up, mentioning his experience, substantial wealth and it's no secret that he has national aspirations. Some people were even floating his name as the successor to Biden instead of Harris. However, despite reports that the Harris campaign was considering him, during an interview Tuesday Pritzker stated that he had not yet received vetting papers from the campaign.

The vetting process is being led by former Attorney General Eric Holder, who endorsed Harris recently, and Dana Remus, a partner at Covington & Burling LLP. Remus, who served as White House Counsel under Biden and led the vetting for Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, brings substantial experience to this critical task.

Following President Biden's exit, Harris swiftly gathered the necessary 1,976 delegates to become the presumptive Democratic nominee, a pivotal moment achieved in less than 48 hours. This rapid consolidation underscores the urgency as the campaign heads towards the August national convention in Chicago, where vice presidential candidates will be voted on separately.

Political analysts highlight the unusually tight timeframe for this vetting process. David Hopkins, a political science professor at Boston College, remarked to USA TODAY, "In a normal situation, this would be a process that would play out over a couple of months. They don't really have that kind of time, because the convention is coming up in a few weeks."

The Harris campaign's selection process aims to identify a running mate who complements Harris and appeals to a broader voter base. Hopkins suggests the vetting list indicates a strategic move to attract different segments of voters, aiming to build a coalition capable of defeating Republican nominee Donald Trump in November.

A key consideration is finding a running mate who can act as a strong counter to Trump's chosen vice presidential candidate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz exemplified this approach in a recent appearance on "Morning Joe," where he criticized Vance's understanding of rural America and his policies, which Walz claims have divided communities and harmed rural interests.