Arizona Senator Mark Kelly caused a media stir after he posted a now-deleted social media post suggesting he had withdrawn from Kamala Harris’ vice presidential nomination search.
Kelly, seen by many as a favorite to get the nod, wrote on X Sunday night, “I spent my life in the Navy and at NASA, where the mission always comes first. Now my mission is to serve Arizonans.”
The “serving the people of Arizona” comment led many to speculate that he had lost his chance to take Harris’ former seat on the ticket, as he, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz had in-person interviews scheduled earlier in the day.
However, Kelly, a former astronaut, deleted the post within 30 minutes of posting and quickly replaced it with another.
“Whether it’s through my time in the Navy and NASA, my time in the U.S. Senate, or my visits to our troops overseas, I’ve learned that when your country calls you to serve, you always answer the call,” he wrote.
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly caused a media stir after a now-deleted social media post suggesting he had abandoned Kamala Harris’ search for a vice presidential nominee
A spokesperson for Kelly said he did not mean to imply anything with his own message later in the evening.
Jacob Peters wrote: ‘A Senator from Arizona tweeting about his Senate status is not news! Everyone go back to your Sundays!’
Harris is expected to announce her choice as early as Monday, ahead of her first public appearance with the vice presidential nominee on Tuesday in Philadelphia.
Pages from documents submitted by each of the candidates have been compiled into briefing books by a group of lawyers led by former Attorney General Eric Holder and former White House counsel Dana Remus, CNN reports.
Harris is currently struggling with the team that will support her vice president, which has already been selected and includes a former Biden adviser.
Harris’ campaign is also planning a social media announcement featuring the duo, officials familiar with the arrangements told Reuters.
The vice president and her nominee will embark on a tour of the major political parties next week, with stops in seven crucial states from Pennsylvania to Nevada.
The shortlist of candidates reportedly includes Kelly, Shapiro, Walz, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
Kelly is seen as one of the favorites in the race to become Kamala Harris’ running mate
Harris met with Buttigieg for 90 minutes on Friday. The candidates will be informed Monday night or Tuesday morning whether they have been selected, the sources said.
Suggestions have been received from all quarters, including former President Barack Obama, which will be considered, along with a thorough interview process. CNN defeated.
Advice has come from all sides, including from her chief of staff Lorraine Voles or her brother-in-law Tony West. Campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon, who helped Biden pick Harris in 2020, has also offered advice.
The influence of Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff is also greatly underestimated.
Harris reportedly appreciates the way she was welcomed into President Joe Biden’s family shortly after her election and understands the importance of making a personal connection, in addition to her usual pragmatic approach.
Harris’ decision to kick off the tour in Pennsylvania has fueled speculation that her VP could be Shapiro. Her team insists she is still deciding, but a tweet from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker appeared to confirm he was the choice.
Choosing a running mate is one of the most important decisions of Harris’ political career, as she races to launch a campaign to challenge Donald Trump in the Nov. 5 election after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race last month.
Her shortlist consists only of white men who have managed to win over rural voters, white voters or independent voters.
Harris’ decision also affects the future direction of the Democratic Party, as it puts the chosen candidate at the top of the ticket in future presidential elections.