Scrapped fundraisers and watching from the treadmill. How Harris’ VP contenders wait for her choice
WASHINGTON — One stirs speculation that he will be the choice by forgoing fancy fundraisers in the Hamptons. Another saw TV commentators speculating about his viability as a choice while they were training. A third sticks to praising the new presidential candidate who is close to making a decision.
As Vice-Chairman Kamala Harris is preparing for determine a running matethree Democrats expected to be on her short list: Governor of Pennsylvania. Josh ShapiroGovernor of Minnesota. Tim Walz and senator from Arizona. Mark Kelly — nothing happened on Thursday to indicate that they are no longer in the race.
Shapiro canceled three weekend fundraisers in coastal towns on Long Island, New York, and his spokesman, Manuel Bonder, offered little explanation for the reason.
“The Governor’s trip was planned several weeks ago and included several fundraisers for his own campaign committee,” Bonder said in a statement. “His schedule has changed and he will no longer be traveling to the Hamptons this weekend.”
One Shapiro fundraiser was to be organized by Michael Kempner, a member of the President’s Joe Biden ‘s National Finance Committee. Kempner said in a letter to invitees that the meeting had been postponed and openly advocated for Shapiro as Harris’ No. 2, writing that “many speculate this is a sign he will become vice president.”
“While this has not been confirmed, I continue to believe he is the best person for the job. And I hope the speculation is true,” Kempner wrote. “As I learn more and get a new date for an event, I will keep you updated. There will also be many other events to support Kamala, I will be sending that information out soon. I hope you will attend.”
Harris has stepped up her travel and fundraising schedule since Biden announced he would abandon his re-election bid and support her on July 21. It has given new hope to some Democrats who had worried about the 81-year-old Biden’s prospects against the former Republican president Donald Trump in november.
The vice president and her team were still reviewing reams of screening materials she had submitted for potential running mates, and staffers have interviewed a number of potential choices. Harris herself is expected to conduct final interviews before making a selection.
The Democratic National Committee is using virtual voting among delegates to complete the process of formally nominating Harris — and her yet-to-be-named running mate — by Monday, two weeks before the party convention opens in Chicago. The Vice President and her number 2 then plan to hit the road seven states swing from major battlegroundsincluding Pennsylvania, Arizona and North Carolina.
Harris’ aides planned to make her choice public in the hours between when she officially becomes the Democratic presidential nominee Monday night and a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday where she will introduce her running mate to the country.
Walz said Thursday that he watched commentary on his chances while running on his treadmill.
“I don’t know if every high school geography teacher expects to be in this position,” joked Walz, who taught and coached football. He also admitted he’s still running for the Democratic ticket at an event in Bloomington, Minnesota, where he highlighted a state law that increases penalties for gun violence.
When asked what sets him apart from the other vice presidential candidates, Walz said he was excited about all of Harris’ potential picks, but also pointed to his work as governor in implementing federal policy.
“I’m not running for office. I’m just who I am and I’m showing it,” Walz said. “I’m just going to say this, yes, I’m a little biased. I’m the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, and Democratic governors have implemented the Biden-Harris administration in a way that has improved lives.”
Kelly, meanwhile, declined to discuss his upcoming schedule or say whether he had been vetted by Harris’ team.
“It’s so clear, she’s the person who can take us into the future,” Kelly said of Harris. “Donald Trump is about division and taking away women’s rights. Now he’s talking about voting rights, which he did this week. So I think people get it.”
— Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington, Steve Peoples in New York and Michael Goldberg in Bloomington, Minnesota, contributed to this report.