US Vice President Kamala Harris, the favorite for the Democratic nomination for the presidential election on November 5 after the withdrawal of Joe Biden, will have to choose a candidate at the Democratic Party convention, which begins on August 19 in Chicago.
Here are the main names mentioned by the American press and commentators:
ANDY BESHEAR, GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY
At age 46, this lawyer and former Kentucky attorney general accomplished the feat in 2019 of being elected governor in a state that was largely won by Republicans — Donald Trump won by 25 percentage points over Joe Biden in 2020. His record highlights job creation, support for primary schools and improved access to care. He opposed laws passed by the Republican-majority Kentucky Congress that banned abortion or oppressed transgender people.
He threw his support behind Kamala Harris on Monday, saying she could help America “move toward something better.”
PETE BUTTIGIEG, TRANSPORT SECRETARY
At age 42, the current transportation secretary won over some of the Democratic voters in the 2020 primaries, notably winning in the Iowa caucuses, before joining Joe Biden’s candidacy and becoming a member of his 2021 administration.
The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has strong roots in Michigan, one of the states in the “Rust Belt” (the northeastern industrial belt), where the presidential election will be partially played.
On Sunday, he threw his support behind Kamala Harris, “the right person to take up the torch”. “I will do everything I can to help him win,” he said.
ROY COOPER, GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA
At age 67, the North Carolina governor is valued in the Democratic camp for his economic record and his ability to maintain strong popularity in a state that voted for Donald Trump twice, in 2016 and 2020.
“If you want a candidate who can put the destruction of Roe at the center [l’arrêt Roe vs Wade autorisant l’avortement
au niveau fédéral, révoqué par la Cour suprême en 2022] of Donald Trump, who actually prosecuted criminals like Donald Trump, and who can put Donald Trump’s age and abilities at the center of the debate, Kamala Harris is the right person,” he said Monday on MSNBC, a day after rallying behind the outgoing vice-chairman.
MARK KELLY, SENATOR FROM ARIZONA
At age 60, this former Navy captain and astronaut managed to get elected in a state traditionally favorable to Republicans, even though he narrowly voted for Joe Biden in 2020.
He is the husband of former Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was seriously wounded by a gunman in Tucson in 2011 while meeting with citizens.
“Gabby and I will do everything we can to ensure that [Kamala
Harris] be elected president of the United States,” he wrote on X Sunday.
JOSH SHAPIRO, GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA
At age 51, this trained lawyer was solicitor general before being elected governor of Pennsylvania in 2022, another “Rust Belt” state considered crucial to victory in November. He spoke with Kamala Harris on Sunday, according to a source.
“I have known Kamala Harris for almost twenty years. We are both prosecutors, we defend the rule of law, we defend the people and get results. Kamala Harris is a patriot who deserves our support,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
JB PRITZKER, SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS
At age 59, this billionaire is a key asset for the Democratic Party, which is drawing on his financial resources, linked to Hyatt Hotels HN, to support Joe Biden’s campaign. Although Illinois is a Democratic stronghold, neighboring Wisconsin is among the “swing states” in the “Rust Belt.”
He spoke to Kamala Harris and said he supported her candidacy, believing it is important for the United States to elect a woman president.
GRETCHEN WHITMER, GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN
At age 52, the governor has built a solid electoral base in the contested state of Michigan. She caught the attention of Joe Biden in 2020, with the latter even considering choosing her as his running mate before settling on Kamala Harris.
She threw her support behind the vice president on Monday, adding that she would be co-director of his campaign and turned down the possibility of running. “I’m not leaving Michigan,” she said on WLNS, a CBS affiliate.
“We can’t let Donald Trump approach the White House come to work!” she said in a press release.
(Trevor Hunnicutt and Nandita Bose; contributions by Jasper Ward and Susan Heavey; Jean-Stéphane Brosse for the French version; Editing by Kate Entringer)
