It took less than two days after President Biden withdrew from the presidential race for Vice President Kamala Harris to secure enough delegates to become the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
But now the Democratic presidential nomination needs a vice presidential candidate. In just a few weeks, the delegates will have to formally vote on the nominations. And then there are just over a hundred days until the election.
The names of several key Democratic governors, legislators and other party leaders have been mentioned as potential running mates.
Harris has requested materials from several potential candidates, including Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
Notably absent from the list were several other prominent names mentioned in the past 32 hours, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
It is not yet clear whether more potential candidates will be asked for material in the future.
Here’s what those reportedly being screened have said about the race and the second spot on the Democratic ticket:
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 51-year-old governor of the state, who is on the brink of election contention, was among the first Democratic leaders to oppose replacing Biden after his debate failure, but it is not yet clear whether he will join Harris.
Governor Josh Shapiro with Vice President Kamala Harris in Philadelphia, PA on July 13
In a statement on Sunday, Shapiro endorsed Vice President Harris for the nomination.
“I’ve known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades. We’ve both been prosecutors, we’ve both stood for the rule of law, we’ve both fought for the people and gotten results,” he wrote.
“Kamala Harris is a patriot who deserves our support, and she will continue to work for generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance true freedom,” he said in a statement. “She has served the country with honor as vice president, and she is ready to be president,” he continued.
The Keystone State governor said the best path forward for the Democratic Party is to “quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency.”
He promised that he would do everything he could to elect Harris as the next president.
Governor Roy Cooper
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper won his state in two elections, while Trump won it in the presidential race. Now he is term-limited and preparing to leave office. He endorsed Harris on Sunday.
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.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper speaks at a Biden Harris campaign rally in Greensboro, NC on July 11
Cooper, 67, praised Biden 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.
In a separate post on X, Cooper supported Harris.
“Kamala Harris should be the next president,” Cooper wrote. “I knew [Harris] “Going back to our days as AGs, she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country with deliberation and integrity. I look forward to campaigning for her as we work to win NC at all levels.”
Cooper spoke to Harris on Sunday. He said they talked about winning the election.
Asked about joining the ticket on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Cooper said Monday that the conversation should remain focused on Harris. He said the conversation about vice presidential picks should happen later.
“I want to make sure Kamala Harris wins,” he said. Cooper argued that Harris at the top of the ticket changes the dynamic in North Carolina.
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.
The 52-year-old governor praised Biden in her second term after he dropped out of the race, writing 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 go down in history for decades.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer vowed to do everything she could to get Democrats elected and defeat Trump
“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.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Harris on Monday, saying the vice president has her full support.
“In Vice President Harris, Michigan voters have a presidential candidate they can count on to focus on lowering their costs, restoring their freedoms, bringing back jobs and supply chains from overseas, and building an economy that works for working people,” Whitmer wrote.
“She’s a former prosecutor, a champion of reproductive freedom, and I know she supports Michigan,” Whitmer continued.
When asked if she would join the plan, Whitmer told a local Michigan reporter she wasn’t going anywhere.
Senator Mark Kelly
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly’s name has also been mentioned as a possible running mate.
The 60-year-old senator and retired astronaut from the key state praised President Biden when he withdrew from the race and endorsed Harris.
“I have every confidence that Vice President Kamala Harris is the right person to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country into the future,” he wrote on X. “I support her nomination, and Gabby and I will do everything in our power to elect her President of the United States.”
Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly praised Biden’s leadership and announced he would endorse Harris for president
Kelly called Biden “one of the most influential presidents in history” and praised him as “someone who puts what he thinks is best for his country above all else.”
Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz represents a state that leans blue, but Republicans had their eye on a state that could potentially flip in November.
The 60-year-old governor has been on air advocating for Harris after Biden withdrew from the race on Monday after endorsing her for president.
“I’ve known Vice President Kamala Harris for years and watched her strengthen national security, protect reproductive rights, and pass historic legislation. As a prosecutor fighting a convicted felon, no one is better qualified to unite our party and take on Donald Trump,” he wrote on X.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz endorsed Harris for president on Monday
Governor JB Pritzker
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is often seen as a Democratic leader with higher political ambitions.
The 59-year-old billionaire endorsed Harris in a statement Monday. Pritzker wrote that he was genuinely surprised that Biden had stepped aside, calling it a “selfless decision.”
“Vice President Harris has proven at every point in her life that she has the skills, strength and character to lead this country and the vision to improve the lives of all Americans,” he wrote.
Pritzker praised Harris as the most qualified and capable person to be the next president and pledged to help her get elected.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s name has been mentioned as a possible running mate for Harris, but he said he has not received any screening materials
He also mentioned his time working on Hillary Clinton’s campaign before being elected governor and said he believes it’s high time the United States elects a female president.
However, when asked if he would be screened on Tuesday, the governor told MSNBC’s Morning Joe that he had not received any materials for the vice presidential screening. He said he loves being governor of Illinois.