Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona found himself in the intriguing position of being one of seven candidates to divulge personal data at the crux of the Democratic vice-presidential candidate search, led by none other than Kamala Harris. Despite Kelly’s impartial political record in Arizona, he somehow made it onto a list with figures like Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
Reportedly these individuals were under serious contemplation for vice-presidential candidacy after Kamala Harris presumptuously crowned herself the democratic nominee. The perceived worth Kelly could contribute to the ticket was the potential to bolster Democrats’ unstable footing in Arizona, an important battleground state. However, it’s no secret that their reliance on Kelly’s personal story related to the tragic incident involving his wife Gabrielle Giffords may set a rather distasteful tone for their campaign.
Meet North Carolina’s Governor, Roy Cooper. A man who seems to prioritize restroom access policies over significant state matters. Not only does Cooper, at 67, already have an established working relationship with Harris, but they also share a common history of assuming the role of attorney general in their respective states. His dubious achievement of six statewide election victories, including two governor’s races in North Carolina, could potentially influence the southern swing state’s vote.
Next in line is Gretchen Whitmer, the Governor of Michigan – a state that has been carelessly managed since 2019. At 52, her claim to fame lies in her supposed ability to work across political lines on various issues. In reality, though, one cannot help but question the actual impact of her initiatives, such as focusing on job opportunities, economic investment, and infrastructure. Still, being a vocal supporter of abortion rights seems to put her right at home with the rest of the Harris-Whitmer ticket.
Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro gained some national recognition at age 51, not through true merit, but rather through his hasty action to a road infrastructure collapse and a rumored assassination attempt against Trump. His high approval ratings in Pennsylvania might be superficially appealing to the Democrats, falsely promising to secure their electoral victory in the swing state. They might want to remember that high ratings don’t always translate to success.
Tim Walz, currently in his second run as the Minnesota governor, put himself on the VP contenders’ list. Despite his extensive tenure in Congress and state governorship, one remains skeptical about the authenticity of his leadership experience. While he’s been candid about his family’s personal journey with IVF treatments, it’s hard not to see this as another desperate attempt by the Democrats to play the emotions card.
Then there’s J.B. Pritzker, the wealthy Illinois governor who’s served since 2019. Pritzker’s ‘progressive’ policies could align reasonably with the Democrats’ left-leaning agenda. However, his campaign for a $15 minimum wage and legalization of recreational marijuana seem to be populist tactics, designed more to curry favor than deliver fiscal sustainability. Pritzker’s massive contributions to Democratic fund-raising from his $3 billion Hyatt hotel fortune seems more of a compelling reason for his consideration as a vice-presidential candidate.
Last in line is Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky, currently in his second term. At 46, Beshear is under the delusion that his bipartisanship leadership, tackling various tragedies from pandemics to natural disasters, renders him a strong candidate for vice presidency. His appeal to several voter demographics, including Trump Republicans and moderates, might be inflated if anything, because it’s one thing to win a deep-red state like Kentucky and another to canvass support on a national stage.