Speculation around Minnesota Governor Tim Walz possibly joining Kamala Harris as a running mate intensifies as he cancels his trip to New Hampshire this weekend. This comes after President Joe Biden exited the 2024 race on July 21, following some intense debates within the Democratic Party about leadership transitions.
Upon his withdrawal, Biden endorsed Harris, who is now seen as the likely Democratic nominee. Amid this backdrop, Walz’s altered plans align with Harris’s ongoing vetting process for potential candidates to join her on the ticket.
CNN’s Edward-Isaac Dovere shared on X, previously Twitter, the news of Walz’s schedule change: “The governor’s schedule has changed and he is no longer traveling to New Hampshire this weekend.”
A little more veepstakes NEWS: from Tim Walz’s spokesman:
“The governor’s schedule has changed and he is no longer traveling to New Hampshire this weekend.”
— Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) August 3, 2024
Harris is set to meet her vetting team soon, where they’ll present detailed briefings on the finalists, lasting around 60 to 90 minutes each, covering their backgrounds and how they might influence the ticket.
The shortlist reportedly includes notable figures like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, alongside Walz.
These presentations could lead to a narrowed field of candidates, with Harris likely to conduct in-person interviews this Sunday, as reported by CNN.
AFP/STEPHEN MATUREN
The significance of these discussions is highlighted by the presence of former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who is overseeing the vetting process. Walz, with his impressive background as a teacher, football coach, and military veteran, has a unique perspective that could appeal to voters in swing states.
The cancellation of plans by Walz mirrors a similar decision by Shapiro, adding to the conversation around these governors as contenders for the VP position. Harris’s primary focus in selecting a running mate appears to be on electability, which could shape the Democratic Party’s direction moving forward.
As Harris aims to reveal her running mate ahead of a campaign rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday, everyone is keenly watching for any new updates or changes from the potential candidates.