Sources believe that Walz and Shapiro are the only viable choices for Kamala Harris as vice president.

 

On July 30, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a presidential election campaign event. REUTERS/Dustin Chambers/Licensing Rights for File Photo Purchase.

In brief
Democratic nominee for president said she is still unsure.
The two are Pennsylvania's and Minnesota's governors.
Her decision will enable her to take on Republicans. Vance and Trump

August 5, Washington, DC (Reuters) - According to three people with knowledge of the situation, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has reduced the number of candidates she is considering for vice president to two: governors Tim Walz of Minnesota and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania.

The U.S. vice president, Harris, is anticipated to make her announcement by Tuesday, in time for her first public appearance with her running mate at Temple University in Philadelphia that evening.

Harris stated that she had not yet made her choice in a statement sent late on Monday to her supporters.
"I know many of you are eager to find out who I will be selecting to join me on the campaign trail, and hopefully in the White House, as my Vice President," she said.
She offered voters the opportunity to sign up on a link to receive news of the announcement first. "Though I have not made my decision yet, it is important to me that grassroots supporters - like you - have direct updates about the state of the race," she added.

One of the most important choices Harris will make in her political career is selecting a running partner as she quickly puts together a campaign to oppose Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his vice presidential contender, U.S. Senator JD Vance, in the election scheduled for November 5. On Tuesday, Vance will also visit South Philadelphia as part of his campaign.
With a solid approval rating in Pennsylvania, home to 19 electoral votes, Shapiro, 51, is a rising star in the party and a must-win state for both Harris and Trump.

The historical significance of the ticket would be increased by Shapiro, a former state attorney general, who would become the nation's first Jewish vice president, and Harris, who is running to become the first Black and South Asian American woman elected to the presidency.
Shapiro's ardent support for Israel may drive away some leftist voters, but it may also win over moderates and thwart Republican attempts to use the Israel-Gaza conflict as a wedge issue against the Democrats.

The 60-year-old Walz, a former teacher and member of the US Army National Guard, has gained notoriety in recent weeks as a strong supporter of Harris. He called Trump and Vance "weird," an offensive remark that went viral and was picked up by the Harris campaign.
Although Walz has demonstrated appeal to white rural voters, as a former member of Congress from a Republican-leaning district, he has also supported progressive measures as governor, including expanded paid worker leave and free school meals. Despite being a firmly Democratic state, Minnesota is situated near two important battlegrounds: Wisconsin and Michigan.

Six candidates had been the subject of speculation: four governors, a senator, and a cabinet member in the Biden administration; these men are all white and have a track record of winning over white or independent votes in rural areas.
Besides Shapiro and Walz, other candidates were Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois.
According to sources who spoke with Reuters, the contenders will find out whether they were chosen either on Monday night or Tuesday morning. According to campaign officials with knowledge of the arrangements, the Harris team is planning to release a social media statement showcasing the pair.

Two weeks ago, after President Joe Biden withdrew from the contest and endorsed Harris to succeed him, Harris started looking for a running mate.

The market selloff on Monday did not appear to have any immediate bearing on when Harris would make his announcement. In an attempt to profit on the slump, Trump called the crisis the "Kamala crash" in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Harris met with her screening team over the weekend, which included former Attorney General Eric Holder, whose Covington & Burling LLP law firm examined the financial records and backgrounds of possible running mates. Several people with knowledge of the proceedings claim that Holder and his administration gave thorough presentations on each of the finalists.
According to the sources, Harris is debating the choice with her husband, Doug Emhoff, brother-in-law Tony West, and a select group of assistants and advisors.

FIVE DAYS, MANY CITIES

 
The five-day tour of crucial states that are expected to determine the outcome of the election will begin with a rally on Tuesday afternoon.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Detroit, Michigan; Durham, North Carolina; Phoenix, Arizona; and Las Vegas, Nevada are the six cities that Harris and her running companion will visit.

A campaign official stated that they will stage rallies in union halls, restaurants, historically Black colleges, and college campuses at each stop of the trip.

The Harris team unveiled a plan over the weekend to sway Republican voters in favor of the Democrat and highlighted Republican endorsements, including those of Stephanie Grisham and Olivia Troye, two former Trump White House aides.
On Monday, Republicans for Harris, the program, will launch with events in Arizona, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, which are key battleground states.
The hospitality workers union praised Harris on Monday, noting that she has a lengthy history of providing for union workers, earning her another union endorsement.