By Trevor Hunnicutt and Nandita Bose
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden’s resolution on Sunday to drop his reelection bid and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to switch him because the Democratic candidate leaves Harris with a significant, instant resolution: whom to select as her operating mate.
These are among the prime folks being mentioned, supplied they do not search the presidential nomination themselves, in response to folks acquainted with inside coverage discussions.
ANDY BESHEAR, GOVERNOR, KENTUCKY
Democratic Governor Andy Beshear has carved a profitable political profession in a closely Republican state that voted for Republican Donald Trump by a margin of greater than 25 share factors in 2020. Beshear has touted his report of bringing jobs to Kentucky, supporting public schooling and increasing healthcare entry. As governor, he has vetoed laws banning abortions and gender-affirming look after transgender youth, though the vetoes had been overridden by the Republican-dominated legislature.
PETE BUTTIGIEG, U.S. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg constructed a robust fan base amongst Democratic Get together voters throughout his 2020 major run towards each Biden and Harris, profitable the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus. Seen as a cultured defender of Biden insurance policies, Buttigieg later endorsed Biden and was picked to affix the incoming administration’s Cupboard in 2021. The previous South Bend, Indiana, mayor additionally has deep ties in Michigan, a vital state for Democrats in November.
ROY COOPER, GOVERNOR, NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has gained reward from Democrats for his robust deal with financial improvement and his means to win comparatively robust approval scores in a politically aggressive state that leans Republican and voted for Republican candidate Donald Trump in each 2016 and 2020.
MARK KELLY, U.S. SENATOR, ARIZONA
U.S. Senator Mark Kelly is nicely preferred amongst Democratic Get together elites for hanging a comparatively reasonable tone in a hotly contested state that historically has favored Republicans, however which Biden gained in 2020. A former U.S. Navy captain and astronaut, Kelly can be the husband of former Consultant Gabrielle Giffords, who was significantly wounded in a 2011 capturing. Gun violence is a significant marketing campaign challenge for Democrats.
JOSH SHAPIRO, GOVERNOR, PENNSYLVANIA
Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania’s governor, took workplace simply final yr however is already seen as a rising star for the celebration nationally. Educated as a lawyer, Shapiro served because the state’s lawyer normal, a authorized background that’s much like Harris’ personal as a prosecutor. He has a protracted historical past of profitable elections towards Republicans in a state that Democrats imagine they need to win to safe the election in November.
J.B. PRITZKER
Billionaire Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has confirmed a significant pressure within the celebration, tapping his personal monetary sources linked to Hyatt Motels (NYSE:) to assist Biden’s marketing campaign effort and to face up the Democratic Nationwide Conference in Chicago subsequent month. Whereas Illinois leans closely Democratic, neighboring Wisconsin is likely one of the largest prizes within the 2024 election.
GRETCHEN WHITMER, GOVERNOR, MICHIGAN
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has constructed a robust base within the carefully contested state of Michigan, operating on a platform of straight speak and kitchen-table points. She attracted Biden’s consideration in 2020, being vetted as a doable operating mate earlier than Biden picked Harris. She was a prime supporter of and spokesperson for Biden’s reelection bid.
A Harris-Whitmer ticket can be the primary all-woman ticket for a significant U.S. political celebration – a possible bonus in an election the place girls’s reproductive rights are a prime challenge.
