Frontrunners emerge for Kamala Harris’ pick for vice president

The two people most likely to be picked as Kamala Harris’ vice president have been revealed — and one is said to be “dangerous” for Republicans.

Two frontrunners have emerged in the race to be presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’s second in command.

The New York Post reports it appears increasingly likely Ms Harris will make her vice president pick among Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona senator Mark Kelly.

Mr Shapiro, 51, and Mr Kelly, 60, each represent 2024 swing states Democrats badly need to win in November.

“Shapiro is toward the top,” said one insider familiar with the back and forth. “Locking down Pennsylvania would change the entire trajectory of the race.”

Another prominent Democrat on Capitol Hill warned talks were still “fluid”.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump famously turned Pennsylvania, the long-blue Keystone state, red in the 2016 election.

Insiders say Ms Harris is likely to choose between Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona senator Mark Kelly as her VP. Picture: Stephanie Scarbrough/AFP

While not as critical as Pennsylvania, Arizona — which President Joe Biden and Ms Harris won in 2020 — could stay in the Democratic column with Mr Kelly on her ticket, supporters said.

Mr Kelly comes with his own list of positives, said one Democratic congressman.

“Astronaut, safe choice, Gabby Giffords,” said the source, referring to Kelly’s former occupation and his politician wife, who survived a shooting at a 2011 constituent event in Tucson.

Meghan McCain, the daughter of late Republican Arizona senator John McCain, said Mr Kelly was “absolutely” a frontrunner.

“He and his wife Gabby are very well liked and respected in Arizona. His military and NASA background is obviously very compelling and inspirational. He is a dangerous choice for Republicans,” she said.

Arizona Senator Mark Kelly is said to be a ‘dangerous choice for Republicans’. Picture: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images via AFP

Mr Shapiro and Mr Kelly are not without their drawbacks.
Mr Shapiro is loathed by pro-Hamas activists for his unapologetic support of Israel and tough stance against Hamas-lovers at the University if Pennsylvania and other campuses, prompting lefty activists to beg Harris not to select him.

Progressives on X, including New York City Councilman Chi Ossé, have publicly urged Ms Harris not to choose Mr Shapiro.

“Madam Vice President @KamalaHarris picking @JoshShapiroPA will harm the momentum that you have with youth voters – anyone but him please,” he urged.

Mr Shapiro has also been accused by one statewide Democrat of not moving fast enough to address a sexual misconduct complaint against one of his top staffers.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is said to be ‘toward the top’ of the list. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

Mr Kelly, by contrast, keeps his fickle Arizona Senate seat safe and blue as long as he remains. Should be leave, it could be easily snatched back by Republicans in the next election cycle.

Insiders says Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer might be loathe to let such a rock-solid asset leave the chamber. A rep for Mr Schumer declined to comment.

Hanging in reserve are North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

While neither state is quite as in play nationally for Democrats as Pennsylvania or Arizona, both men have experience appealing to moderate voters who might be repelled by Ms Harris’ history of far-left policy positions.

Mr Cooper has won six statewide general elections over two decades in reliably red North Carolina, while Mr Beshear could blunt Republican vice presidential nominee Senator JD Vance’s appeal with Appalachia voters.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission