Who will be Kamala Harris’ VP pick? The candidates who could join the ticket now that Biden has dropped out

President Biden has dropped out of the presidential race with less than four months to go until Election Day and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor, kicking off a series of frantic moves Democrats must take to prepare their ticket for the fight against Donald Trump.

“Today I want to give my full support and endorsement to Kamala to be our party’s nominee this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and defeat Trump. Let’s do this,” Biden wrote on X.

While Harris is the likely nominee with the president’s support, it is not certain he will officially nominate a candidate until delegates vote at Congress next month.

There is also a question of who Harris’ running mate would be as number two on the ticket if she is officially nominated.

Some of the names mentioned as possible replacements before Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris on Sunday included California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

While these top Democrats have been cautious about the news that Biden is dropping out of the race, they have not yet commented on a possible addition to the Harris list.

These are the names mentioned and what they say:

Governor Josh Shapiro

The name of Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania is often mentioned. He is seen as a Democrat with a bright political future and a potential candidate for the White House.

The governor of the state where the election is still uncertain was among the first Democratic leaders to oppose replacing Biden after his failed debate performance, but it is not yet clear whether he will join Harris.

“President Biden is a patriot who served our country honorably in the Senate, as Vice President, and as one of the most influential presidents in modern history,” he wrote on X.

“President Biden has done an incredible job of moving our country forward, defending our democracy, and protecting true freedom. I am proud to serve alongside him and grateful for his leadership and unwavering commitment to serving Pennsylvania — the Commonwealth that raised him,” he continued.

Governor Andy Beshear

Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat who was re-elected last year in ruby-red Kentucky, issued a lengthy statement about Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race.

President Biden will be remembered as a consistent president. Together with Vice President Harris, he led us through the aftermath of the January 6 attack on our Capitol and navigated us steadily through a global pandemic. He showed up for Kentucky after devastating tornadoes and historic flooding, and delivered immediate federal assistance that is helping to rebuild our communities,” he said.

“His leadership delivered infrastructure investments that bring clean drinking water and high-speed internet to parts of Kentucky that have been neglected and underserved for far too long,” he continued.

“While his decision today cannot have been easy, it is in the best interests of our country and our party. I want to thank him for his leadership, his kindness, and for a successful presidency that accomplished big, important things.”

“Now is the time for our nation to come together. We must quiet the anger, the resentment and the noise. We have an opportunity to remember that we have been taught to treat our neighbors as ourselves — and that we are all neighbors,” he concluded.

Governor Roy Cooper

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper won his state in two elections, while Trump won the state in the presidential race. Now he is term-limited and preparing to leave office.

Putting him on the Democratic presidential ticket could bring North Carolina closer to the Democrats. He has also appeared frequently on the campaign trail with Biden and Harris.

“President Biden has cemented his place among the greatest presidents our country has ever seen,” Cooper wrote in a statement Sunday. “When our democracy was in jeopardy, President Biden stood strong as that rare type of leader who could help us move forward with a vision to restore the soul of our country,” he said.

Cooper praised him for passing reform legislation that will benefit the economy, families and the country for generations.

“I am extremely grateful to call President Joe Biden my friend, and I think I value him deeply for his service to our great country,” he concluded.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is often mentioned as one of the potential future leaders of the Democratic Party. She also comes from a battleground state and was a co-chair of Biden’s campaign.

She said her job during the election will be to do everything she can to get Democrats elected and stop Trump.

“President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it will take to defeat Donald Trump,” she wrote on X.

“His remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, tackle climate change, and ensure America’s global leadership will be remembered for decades,” she continued.

“My job in this election remains the same: I will do everything I can to get Democrats elected and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising family costs, banning abortion nationwide and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan,” she concluded.

Pete Buttigieg

Transportation Secretary and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg’s name has also been mentioned by some Democratic hopefuls looking for a younger generation of leaders.

The 42-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, rose to national prominence for his participation in the 2020 primaries before joining the Biden administration.

On Sunday, he wrote: “Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most influential presidents in American history.”

“I am so proud to serve under his leadership and grateful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country,” he wrote on X.

California Governor Gavin Newsom is a staunch supporter of President Biden and responded with much praise to his exit from the presidential race.

“President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents,” Newsom said in response to Biden’s exit from the race on X.

When asked earlier if he would replace Biden on the ticket, Newsom flatly declined. It is not yet clear where he stands on the VP position.