Vice President Kamala Harris is wrapping up her search for a running mate. A final decision is expected within 24 hours. A video announcement is likely sometime on Tuesday, according to insiders.
While the exact nature of the rollout has not yet been finalized, campaign insiders point to President Joe Biden‘s 2020 video introduction of Harris as a likely model. A media leak of the choice could disrupt those plans, they said.
The planned rollout follows a closely watched final weekend of deliberations, during which a vetting team led by former Attorney General Eric Holder briefed Harris on the half-dozen or so final candidates.
Harris held interviews with Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota at the vice president’s residence in Washington on Sunday. A person familiar with the selection process said it was possible Harris had spoken virtually with other potential candidates, or could do so on Monday.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker have also been vetted by Harris’ campaign team.
Biden formally introduced Harris in 2020 in a two-minute video released five days before the Democratic National Convention, which featured a video of the future president calling Harris to ask her to join the ticket. However, media reports broke the news the night before the video was released, which the Biden campaign acknowledged with online messages.
Harris will make her first appearance with her new running mate at a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday, kicking off a five-day tour of seven crucial states.
Like this content? Sign up for POLITICO’s Playbook newsletter.
