Who are the Democrats lining up with their eye on Kamala Harris’ VP slot?

President Joe Biden has fully endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, but who will the former prosecutor choose as her running mate for the November showdown against Donald Trump?

Biden, 81, shocked the world on Sunday by announcing he would not run for re-election in 2024, immediately announcing he would support Harris as his replacement.

Following that development, small donors flocked to Harris, 59, donating nearly $50 million to her campaign. What’s more, it’s likely that Harris, 59, will have access to the money Biden has already raised for his reelection.

That would give her a war chest of about $150 million.

In addition to raising money, Harris also received the support of many within the Democratic Party, most notably the Clinton family and a number of people who were mentioned as potential opponents of hers at the Democratic National Party Convention.

There are still several big names in the Democratic Party who haven’t thrown their weight behind Harris, most notably former President Barack Obama, whose support for another candidate could throw a spanner in the works.

Some within the party have indicated they would favor a more open selection process, despite the fact that Biden has apparently named a successor.

Who could throw their hat into the ring in an attempt to gain support for the party before August?

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (52) is one of the most popular governors in the country and her popularity is growing. She has publicly endorsed Kamala Harris.

On Sunday night, CBS News reported that Whitmer is unlikely to mount a campaign challenge. In a state that Democrats must win in 2024, Whitmer won her state by a huge margin in 2022.

Whitmer has also made abortion rights a key part of her agenda, something that is likely to be a major issue in 2024.

Whitmer, who has held office since 2019 and has been a loyal Biden supporter, did warn that the president would have a hard time winning Michigan after his disastrous debate performance in June.

Politics reported Monday morning that Whitmer participated in a phone call with Harris aides, in which she offered her support in the uncertain state, among other things. That has not yet been confirmed.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and his wife Britainy Beshear celebrate their re-election in November 2023

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has also endorsed Harris and his name has been mentioned by multiple media sources in his home state as a potential vice presidential candidate.

Like other Democratic governors, the 46-year-old Beshear would be an attractive choice for Harris.

Biden lost Kentucky by a wide margin in 2020, so it’s unlikely the governor can help here.

However, he could provide an attractive counterbalance to the appeal of Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, to voters in the Rust Belt.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore

Maryland Governor Wes Moore thanked President Joe Biden for his service in a message, but did not endorse Vice President Kamala Harris

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, 45, says he’s all in for Harris in 2024.

It is unlikely that Moore would have enough national exposure to raise campaign funds to challenge Harris for the nomination.

Moore made a compelling statement after Biden’s announcement.

“His legacy of hard work, dedication, optimism and strength has shaped the course of our nation – and made us better as a people and as a country,” he wrote in part.

CBS News reports that Moore will endorse Harris later on Monday, leading to further speculation that he could be in contention for the vice presidential nomination.

In an appearance on Face the Nation in June, Moore said he would not run for the nomination in 2024 as long as Biden remains party leader.

California Governor Gavin Newsom

California Governor Gavin Newsome appears to have quashed rumors of a possible White House run by quickly endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, 56, has long been seen as the Democratic Party’s great white hope, with some already eyeing him as Biden’s successor before Sunday’s shock announcement.

Newsom immediately endorsed Harris and indicated he would not run in 2024.

“Tough. Fearless. Persistent,” he wrote on X.

“With our democracy at stake and our future hanging in the balance, no one is better positioned to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision and lead our country in a healthier direction than U.S. Vice President @KamalaHarris,” he wrote.

However, on Monday, a Democratic pollster circulated a memo within party circles saying Newsom would be in a strong position if he decided to enter the race, according to Politics.

The data in the memo would show that Newsom and Harris are both two points behind Trump.

Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona

Sen. Mark Kelly, pictured here with his wife Gabby Giffords, says the couple fully supports Harris in 2024

Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, 60, a longtime Democratic Party favorite, has endorsed Harris ahead of the 2024 election.

“I have every confidence that Vice President @KamalaHarris is the right person to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country into the future,” Kelly wrote on X.

“She has my support for the nomination, and Gabby [Giffords] and I will do everything in my power to elect her President of the United States.’

This has left Kelly in contention for a vice presidential nomination, with Arizona likely to once again be a key swing state.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg

Biden loyalist Pete Buttigieg, seen by many as someone with a bright future in the Democratic Party, is backing Harris

The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has held a prominent position in the Biden administration since becoming transportation secretary.

Peter Buttigieg, 42, a loyal Biden supporter, supports Harris’ candidacy like the president.

“Kamala Harris is now the right person to take up the torch, defeat Donald Trump, and succeed Joe Biden as president,” he wrote on X.

Early betting shows Buttigieg as the favorite to be Harris’ running mate. The secretary of state briefly ran for president in 2020 before withdrawing and endorsing Biden.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, pictured here earlier this month with Kamala Harris, was one of the first governors to endorse the vice president’s candidacy

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, 51, endorsed Harris on Sunday, not long after Biden’s announcement.

This makes a primary challenge unlikely unless unforeseen circumstances arise.

“I have known Kamala Harris for almost 20 years. We are both prosecutors, we are both committed to the rule of law, we have both fought for the people and achieved results,” the attorney said in a statement.

“Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support. She will continue the work of generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance true freedom.”

“She has served the country honorably as vice president and she is ready to be president,” he said in a statement.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper

Harris, Biden and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper pictured at an event in March 2024

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, 67, on Sunday night endorsed Harris’ candidacy.

“Kamala Harris should be the next president. I’ve known @VP since our days as AGs, and she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country thoughtfully and with integrity,” he wrote.

“I look forward to campaigning for her as we try to win NC on all fronts.”

His name is now being mentioned as a potential vice president.

Last week, Cooper stood up for Harris during her performance in Fayetteville, drawing applause with his line: “He’s a convicted felon, a chronic liar, and the king of chaos. Do we want Donald Trump’s America?”

Harris called Cooper “a dear friend” in her speech.