Harris campaign kicks off 'weekend of action' ahead of expected running mate pick

WASHINGTON (TND) — Thrust into the presidential race with just over 100 days until Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign is looking to build on the momentum of the past week with an effort to mobilize volunteers in a critical swing state alongside a potential running mate.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro considered a top choice to join the anticipated Harris ticket, will headline the kick-off of a "weekend of action" intended to energize supporters of Harris' budding candidacy. According to the campaign, since Sunday, more than 8,000 people in Pennsylvania have signed up to volunteer.

“I think it’s probably a fairly bipartisan consensus that whoever wins Pennsylvania wins the presidency," Shapiro told reporters earlier this week.

This makes Shapiro an appealing choice to many Democrats; less than two years into his governorship, his approval ratings in the must-win state are strong.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., is another top contender. Also from a swing state, Kelly's record on the border and immigration would be an asset to Harris as she takes attacks from Republicans over her record on these issues. Kelly has been more aggressive than most Democrats in Congress with his calls to close gaps in border fencing and for the Biden administration to act with more urgency to address the flow of migrants.

Another strength of Kelly's is that he's married to former Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., arguably the nation's most prominent advocate for gun control. During an event with constituents in 2011, Giffords was shot in the head by a gunman who killed six people and left another dozen injured. Ending the gun violence epidemic is a key pillar of Harris' campaign and was highlighted in her first official campaign video released Thursday.

Also coming from a critical swing state, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was thought to be on the list of potential running mates. On Thursday, she campaigned for Harris in New Hampshire and on Monday, she and Shapiro will headline an event in Pennsylvania. Whitmer is a campaign co-chair but does not appear willing to leave her governorship.

“I am not interested in doing anything other than this job for the next two and a half years," Whitmer told reporters on Wednesday.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have also been floated–the latter has done multiple cable news interviews this week boasting Harris' new candidacy.

“She’s gonna make a decision that’s the right decision for her, for the party and for the country and no matter what, I’m going to be doing everything in my power to make sure that she’s our next president," Buttigieg said.

Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky is among the Democratic governors believed to be in the running. During a press conference on Thursday, he acknowledged the speculation.

"I am honored to be considered and regardless of what comes next, I'll do everything I can between now and Election Day to elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States of America," Beshear said.

In a similar position is Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who said he's happy with his current job but is open to the opportunity.

“I’d be reluctant to make a change but it’d be hard to resist a call and consideration if the nominee called me to ask to be considered for vice president," Pritzker said.

There's also been speculation Harris is looking at North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Instead of waiting until the Democratic National Convention, which kicks off in Chicago on Aug. 19, to make the announcement Harris is expected to reveal her running mate by Aug. 7 because of Ohio's unique early ballot deadline.