Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign has indicated to donors that she may choose a governor as her running mate, with speculation that Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona could be a strong contender. The campaign has reportedly urged donors to quickly contribute funds due to concerns over restrictions on donations to tickets with a sitting governor. Several key donors in the financial sector were given until Sunday to make their donations, as Harris is expected to announce her running mate soon and hold a rally in Philadelphia with that individual.
Names that have been circulating in the speculation regarding potential VP picks include governors such as Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Tim Walz of Minnesota. However, the Securities and Exchange Commission has rules in place restricting donations to campaigns or politicians in states where a financial institution offers services. This rule applies even when a sitting state official vies for a federal office. Institutions covered under the rule include asset managers and specific banks.
The Harris campaign has not yet made an official announcement on their running mate selection, but has mentioned considering a large pool of qualified candidates. The campaign has emphasized that any updates on the running mate search are premature and speculative, and that no additional information will be provided until Harris announces her choice for running mate and the next Vice President of the United States. There are questions surrounding whether the SEC rule applies to PACs and how it may impact fundraising efforts.
While there is speculation that Kamala Harris is considering governors as her potential running mate, there are also two non-governor individuals rumored to be on the shortlist – Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Kelly, in particular, is seen as someone who could help address Harris’ general election vulnerabilities on issues such as the border crisis. With experience in handling border-related matters as a senator from Arizona, Kelly has attracted attention for his ability to win in a swing state where immigration is a key concern among voters. He has advocated for action on border security and criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the situation.
Senator Mark Kelly has expressed confidence in the Democratic Party’s ability to continue winning statewide races in Arizona, even if he were to join the VP ticket. Despite concerns over potentially endangering Democrats’ hold on Arizona’s Senate seat, Kelly believes that the party has a strong support base in the state. Kelly’s vocal stance on border security issues and his experience in navigating the political landscape in Arizona have made him a notable figure within the Democratic Party, drawing attention from party leaders for potential roles such as the vice presidential nominee.
