Walz shortens Shapiro's betting odds as Kamala Harris' vice-presidential pick nears

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's lead as betting favorite in the race to be the Democratic vice-presidential nominee shrunk going into the final days of the Veep-stakes.

The 51-year-old Democrat has been at the top of the oddsmakers' boards since Vice President Kamala Harris assumed the presumptive presidential nomination from the party after President Joe Biden dropped out.

Shapiro was the clear betting favorite Wednesday but some members of the progressive wing of the party pushed Harris to consider other choices. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been the betting benefactor of that push going from +1400 at U.K. bookmaker Bet365 on Thursday to +275 on Sunday.

The Vice President met with Shapiro, Walz and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly at the vice president's residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington Sunday.

Shapiro stood at +120 at Bet365 on Tuesday, -260 (meaning a bettor would need to wager $260 to win $100) on Wednesday, -400 Saturday and -160 Sunday.

The betting market, which U.S. bookmakers cannot take part in, is not insignificant as just under $1.15 million dollars in bets have been placed at U.K. bookmaker Betfair Exchange.

USA TODAY reported Wednesday that Harris will tour battleground states with her vice presidential pick next week and that she intends to announce the choice before Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Vice presidential betting market moves

Democratic vice presidential nominee betting odds (as of July 31)

Bet 365

• Josh Shapiro : -190
• Tim Walz : +275
• Mark Kelly : +700
• Andrew Beshear : +1200
• Pete Buttigieg : +2000

Via Covers.com

Bovada

• Josh Shapiro : -170
• Tim Walz : +230
• Andrew Beshear : +1400
• Mark Kelly : +1500
• Pete Buttigieg : +3000

BetOnline

• Josh Shapiro : -200
• Tim Walz : +190
• Mark Kelly : +1000
• Andrew Beshear : +1600
• Pete Buttigieg : +3500

Oddschecker

• Josh Shapiro : -188
• Tim Walz : +1000
• Mark Kelly : +1200
• Andrew Beshear : +2400
• Pete Buttigieg : +3100

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Walz shortens Shapiro's betting odds as Kamala Harris' vice-presidential pick nears