Could Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker become Kamala Harris’ VP running mate?

ILLINOIS – Current vice president Kamala Harris is campaigning for the Democratic ticket in 2024 U.S. presidential election after current president Joe Biden recently stepped down from a reelection bid.

Who could be Harris’ running mate? That remains to be determined, but it appears Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is a possibility.

CNN listed Pritzker on a “shortlist” of Democrats who Harris may consider as a vice president for her campaign. Pritzker was listed among eight possible candidates in CNN’s shortlist Tuesday, which cited his endorsement of Harris as president and his experience tackling various issues at the center of the 2024 election, such as gun control to reproductive rights.

According to a report from the Chicago Sun Times , as of Wednesday, Harris’ campaign has called Pritzker’s office on the possibility of a vice president ticket spot.

According to a report Thursday from Jeff Arnold of Nexstar’s News Nation , Pritzker says he did not get a call Wednesday about a possible appointment. He also added he would not elaborate further on any potential private conversations between his office and Harris’ campaign.

Pritzker was also questioned about the possibility of running as a vice president in an interview with CNN on Wednesday.

A conversation between Pritzker and CNN’s Jake Tapper proceeded as transcribed below:

Tapper : “Gov. Pritzker, have you been asked by the Harris campaign to submit any paperwork to be vetted as vice president?”

Pritzker : “I’m not going to talk about any private conversations that I’ve had. As you know, I’ve been traveling around the country advocating for Kamala Harris, for the Democratic ticket, and making sure we’re beating Donald Trump every where we can.”

Tapper : “If asked, would you accept an invitation to be her running mate?

Pritzker : “Well I think, you know, I love being governor of Illinois. The people of Illinois have graced me with that title for the last two elections. And, you know, I’d be reluctant to make a change, but it’d be hard to resist a call and consideration if the nominee called me to ask to be considered for vice president.”

Prtizker first took oath as Illinois governor in January 2019 and is midway through his second term. He formally announced his endorsement for Harris as U.S. president on the Democratic ticket on Monday, saying she was the party’s best chance to defeat Republican challenger Donald Trump.

Harris has earned enough delegates to become the Democratic presidential nominee as of this week. She is reportedly expected to pick a vice president running mate by Aug. 7.

To be qualified for vice president, a candidate must be a natural-born U.S. citizens, at least 35 years old and a U.S. resident for at least 14 years, according to the 12th amendment .

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