Vice President Kamala Harris drew closer to picking her running mate over the weekend, interviewing the remaining contenders while voices from within the party lobbied for their preferred candidates. The final choice remained with Harris, but three names continued to figure prominently: Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Of the three, Shapiro has received the most attention on Sunday television. He presides over a battleground and defeated a Trump-endorsed opponent to get there. Kelly defended his Senate seat in Arizona in 2022 against a well-funded Trump-endorsed challenger. And Walz bring rust-belt appeal to an election that may be decided by voters in that swing region.
Earlier in the week, Harris secured enough delegates in a virtual vote to formally win the Democratic nomination. Whoever she picks is all-but-sure to receive the same approval before the two head on a campaign stretch leading up to the Democratic National Convention which starts on Aug. 19.
