Not long after President Biden announced he was dropping his bid for reelection, Vice President Kamala Harris announced her plans to fill his role as Democratic candidate for the 2024 elections.
Biden finally succumbed to a push from the Democratic party to end his campaign. He quickly endorsed Harris, who then received an onslaught of endorsements from Democratic senators, House members, governors, and other party leaders.
“The mounting pressure from Democrats internally for President Biden to withdraw his candidacy for the Democratic nomination has finally proven effective as he’s announced his withdrawal. Along with his official statement, he’s endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the Democratic National Convention,” said Logan Russell, President at Redvail
“While power players in the party such as former President Barack Obama and others have endorsed an open-convention. Stoking further appearances of disarray within the Democratic Party. For all intents and purposes, Vice President Kamala Harris is the de facto Democratic Presidential nominee – pending confirmation by the DNC,” continued Russell.
Harris Potential Running Mates
Now that Harris has announced her running, speculation is mounting over her final choice for a running mate.
The Democratic running mate race is underway as Harris moves toward securing the presidential nomination. The list of possible contenders for the role consists of plenty of politicians who have national ambitions.
Top contenders for potential running mates include Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
Trump’s Vice President Pick, JD Vance
Choosing the right running mate is crucial during this election. Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump has already appeared with his selected VP, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, who so far largely echoed Trump’s views on key issues including abortion, immigration and the Texas border wall.
During an interview on CNN in late June, Ashley Etienne, a former communications director for Vice President Harris, said that Vance posed “the greatest threat” of any of Trump’s then-potential VP picks because of his ability to articulate the MAGA message in a persuasive way.
Russell says that Trump tapping JD Vance has broader implications than most people realize.
“Vance has an obvious appeal to voters in the Rust Belt. With his military experience and relatable upbringing, Vance is already paying off according to the recent polls. Moreover, he began his journey in politics as a ‘Never-Trumper’. Stating on multiple occasions less than positive comments about the former President. However, President Trump’s policy agenda during his administration has become one of his closest allies in the 2022 and 2024 election cycles.”
According to Russell, unlike what some may think, Vance’s age might be an advantage.
“While Vance has a long history of an unquestionable alignment with the overall conservative platform. Sponsoring a myriad of bills that closely mirror President Trump’s agenda during the 2024 campaign. A stark departure from his previous stance regarding the former President.
However, Senator Vance’s strength is his appeal to the everyday voter. Those who have served our country. Those who have come from adversity and hardship. He has a strong appeal to young voters as well – given his age as he’s tapped to be the Republican Vice Presidential nominee.”
So far, the latest polling shows former President Trump ahead in all swing states across the country, even against Vice President Harris. Early signs suggest that Harris has her work cut out for her especially in massive swing states to keep Trump from coming out ahead. Harris has 107 days to build a campaign around herself to beat Trump in this year’s election.
