Kamala Harris interviews top Vice President contenders at her home as decision looms

Kamala Harris has met with top contenders to be her running mate. She is expected to announce her VP pick in a matter of days.

Kamala Harris has met with at least three top contenders vying to be her running mate, with the Vice President expected to name her pick within a matter of days.

Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Mark Kelly and Governor Tim Walz are believed to be among the contenders who met with Ms Harris at her home in Washington, DC, on Sunday, according to The Washington Post.

Ms Harris, who officially became the Democratic presidential nominee on Friday, is also interviewing candidates who have not been confirmed in the media, sources told CBS News.

The 59-year-old is expected to announce her VP pick as early as Monday local time, before launching a countrywide tour with her running mate.

“It’s her first major decision that she’s making as an executive, so it tells you about her thought process,” Cook Political Report newsletter polling expert Amy Walter told CBS.

Harris will interview the contenders at her home on Sunday. Picture: Brandon Bell /Getty/AFP

Cryptic tweet hints at Kelly’s chances

With a decision imminent, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly has seemingly hinted at his chances at the VP pick by sharing – and then deleting – a cryptic message on social media.

The 60-year-old shared a statement on X on Sunday, suggesting he may be out of the running, noting his mission to serve the people of Arizona.

“I spent my life in the Navy and at NASA, where the mission always comes first. Now, my mission is serving Arizonans,” he wrote in the now-deleted post.

Mr Kelly later shared a more general statement on X, writing: “Whether it was from my time in the Navy and at NASA, serving in the United States Senate, or visiting our troops overseas: I’ve learned that when your country asks you to serve, you always answer the call.”

The posts sparked speculation online, leaving many questioning what it means for Mr Kelly’s chances.

“What is happening,” one person commented.

“I’m so confused right now,” said another.

“I’m getting whiplash!” wrote another.

Whether it was from my time in the Navy and at NASA, serving in the United States Senate, or visiting our troops overseas: I've learned that when your country asks you to serve, you always answer the call. pic.twitter.com/pugQf8zCV5

— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) August 4, 2024

VP pick ‘accidentally leaked’

It comes after Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker posted a tweet and video on Friday mistakenly naming Mr Shapiro as Harris’ eagerly awaited vice-presidential pick.

“Proud to be back with so many leaders from across our region supporting @KamalaHarris for President and @JoshShapiroP for VP!” she posted.

She included a video with footage of recent press conferences that ended with the message: “Josh Shapiro for Vice President”.

Reporter Ernest Owens claimed he heard from sources the post was due to be scheduled for Monday, but was accidentally published early.

“Philly political sources have told me that a staffer connected with Mayor Cherelle Parker’s team accidentally posted the video today,” Owens said.

“The video was scheduled for Monday … after VP Kamala Harris was expected to announce her pick. It’s Josh Shapiro, y’all.

“I’m hearing there’s a ‘firestorm’ right now. I guess that’s an understatement.”

A tweet appeared to name Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Picture: Hannah Beier/Getty/AFP

However, a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer was quick to shoot down the claim.

Sean Collins Walsh wrote: “Did Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L Parker just announce who Kamala Harris’ running mate will be? As it turns out, no.”

According to the Inquirer, a “source close to Parker” said: “This is not an announcement of anything. This is just the mayor showing her support for a longtime friend who we know is one of the people being considered.”

“It was merely the mayor supporting the governor’s potential vice presidential candidacy, which she did earlier this week also in Philadelphia,” the statement said.

Who are the top contenders? 

Mr Shapiro is among those heading Harris’ short list.

The 51-year-old was elected as the Pennsylvanian Governor in 2022 and has continued to maintain high approval ratings.

If chosen, Mr Shapiro could help Ms Harris win the valuable battleground state of Pennsylvania.

“Shapiro is toward the top,” an inside source told the New York Post. 

“Locking down Pennsylvania would change the entire trajectory of the race.”

Mr Shapiro is up against Mr Kelly, a former NASA astronaut and navy pilot, who is considered a “ dangerous choice for Republicans”.

“He and his wife Gabby are very well liked and respected in Arizona,” Meghan McCain, the daughter of late Republican Arizona senator John McCain, said.

“His military and NASA background is obviously very compelling and inspirational”

Mark Kelly is understood to be a chance. Picture: Kent Nishimura/Getty/AFP

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is also a contender. Picture: Stephen Maturen/Getty/AFP

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who served in the Army National Guard for 24 years, is also among those vying for the Vice Presidential slot.

The 60-year-old has helped shape campaign messaging after labelling Donald Trump and J.D. Vance “weird” – a key phrase now being rolled out by the Democrats.

“I see Donald Trump talking about the wonderful Hannibal Lecter or whatever weird thing he is on tonight … That is weird behaviour. I don’t think you call it anything else,” Mr Walz said on CNN.

Ms Harris effectively secured the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination late last week, confirming her remarkable rise to party standard bearer in November’s showdown against Republican Mr Trump.

The first Black and South Asian woman ever to secure a major party’s nomination, she will be officially crowned at a Chicago convention later this month.