(NationalUSNews.com) — President Joe Biden has dropped out of the 2024 election, making Vice President Kamala Harris the presumptive Democratic Party nominee. Harris’s coronation has led to widespread speculation and rumors about her running mate, with many reputable media outlets listing several names as likely candidates. Among the names featured on the shortlist are Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Arizona Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
After Biden endorsed Harris, political experts agreed that Pritzker would likely become her running mate. Pritzker’s connection to a battleground state and his moderate approach to national politics made him a favorite amongst experts. Although Pritzker has a coveted connection to a critical state, the Illinois governor claims he isn’t among the ten people Harris’s political allies are considering for the vice presidential nomination. Pritzker recently addressed the rumors about joining Harris’s ticket during an interview with MSNBC, claiming that he hasn’t received the vetting materials required to enter the Harris campaign.
Pritzker avoided giving a direct answer about whether or not he’s spoken to members of Harris’s team about joining her campaign and instead spoke vaguely about the Democratic Party’s recent unification over Harris as a candidate. Pritzker said that even if he doesn’t become Harris’s running mate, he plans to campaign relentlessly for Harris and help her win Illinois. Pritzker also said he believed in Harris as a candidate and promised voters he’d do whatever it took to ensure Harris won the 2024 presidential election.
While Pritzker remains the favorite among people speculating about Harris’s unconfirmed running mate, some experts favor Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. Beshear’s joining Harris’s campaign could help the controversial vice president win a typically conservative state, resulting in a loss of support for former President Donald Trump. Beshear hasn’t addressed the rumors about joining Harris’s campaign, but he did release a statement shortly after Biden dropped from the race to endorse Harris and promise his collaboration with her campaign.
According to sources close to Harris’s campaign, the vice president’s staff is currently considering ten candidates to join her as running mate. Beshear and Pritzker are more popular candidates, but North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro are also on the shortlist. Harris’s staff have also considered several senators for the vice president’s running mate, including Senator Mark Kelly (D-Arizona). While speculation about Harris’s running mate will likely continue for the coming weeks, Harris plans on announcing her running mate during the Democratic National Convention in Pritzker’s home state.
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