Progressive Democrats nationwide are backing Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear or Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as their top choices for vice president alongside presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
The endorsements came in the form of a letter from over 40 "progressive leaders" sent to the Harris campaign Tuesday, as the current vice president is said to be narrowing in on a running mate.
The letter, published by news outlet The Hill , suggests Beshear has picked up support among non-Kentuckians following several "viral" interviews. And it criticized another contender, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro , who's considered a frontrunner for Harris' running mate, alongside Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly.
Beshear and Walz have given ‘viral’ interviews
The letter says Beshear and Walz have mounted a “persuasive critique” of the Republican ticket during the past week, going "viral" for comments they made in several television interviews.
“JD Vance ain't from here,” Beshear quipped about the Republican vice presidential nominee during an MSNBC appearance last week, spawning memes, merch and social media posts.
Beshear or Walz “will energize voters across America without marginalizing any of the communities that we must engage in order to win the electoral college,” the letter said, adding Democrats will need to energize “hard-to-reach, young and disenfranchised voters” as well as immigrants to win in November.
Shapiro, on the other hand, “has made too many controversial policy decisions on issues such as school choice and the environment to be the consensus voice our nation needs right now,” the letter said.
The letter praised Beshear for winning formerly Republican counties in Kentucky . Beshear traveled to Georgia on Sunday to rally Democratic volunteers in a Republican county near Atlanta .
Though the letter backs Beshear, there is only one signatory representing Kentucky — Jon Phoenix, a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from the state’s 5 th congressional district.
Walz, whom the letter writers also support, is in his second term as Minnesota’s governor. Prior to becoming governor, Walz served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a former teacher and high school football coach.
The letter was apparently drafted by two leaders of the California Democratic Party’s progressive caucus, Fatima Iqbal-Zubair, the current chair, and Amar Shergill, a past chair.
Who else is in the running to be the Democrats’ VP nominee?
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper withdrew from consideration for the role on Monday and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has repeatedly said she is not interested in the role.
Shapiro and Walz, along with Kelly and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, have all received vetting materials from the Harris campaign.
Beshear and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg are also under consideration but have not received vetting materials from the Harris campaign , according to USA Today.
When will Democrats make their VP pick?
It’s not clear when the party will finalize its vice presidential nominee. The party is expected to first hold a virtual roll call where state delegates can vote for the presidential nominee, who will almost certainly be Harris.
That virtual roll call vote could start as soon as Thursday .
Harris is planning a tour of swing states next week with the vice presidential nominee, Reuters reported Tuesday . That suggests she will select her running mate within the coming days.
Reach Rebecca Grapevine at rgrapevine@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @RebGrapevine.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Progressive Democrats back Beshear for VP following 'viral' interviews
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