Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign has hinted to donors that she may choose a governor as her running mate for the upcoming election. The campaign has encouraged donors to contribute quickly due to concerns about restrictions on donations to tickets with a sitting governor. Some key donors in the financial sector were reportedly given a deadline to donate by Sunday. Harris, who is 59 years old, is expected to campaign with her VP pick next Tuesday and hold a rally with them in Philadelphia. Several governors, including Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Tim Walz of Minnesota, have been rumored as potential candidates.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has a pay-to-play rule that restricts donations from financial firms to campaigns or politicians in states where the firm may have business interests. This rule can impact sitting state officials who are seeking federal office. The rule applies to institutions such as asset managers and certain banks, preventing key officials from donating to politicians who may have control over significant assets like pension funds. The implications of this rule on PACs are unclear, as there are questions about the extent to which it applies to them.
The Harris campaign recently announced a fundraising haul of $200 million within the first week of President Biden’s decision to pass the baton. Harris, as of Tuesday, had not yet made a final decision on her running mate. There are rumors that she will start conducting interviews this week to make her decision. While most of the potential VP candidates are governors, there are two individuals who are not governors rumored to be on the shortlist – Mark Kelly and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Mark Kelly, a 60-year-old senator from Arizona, has attracted attention as a potential running mate due to his background in dealing with the border crisis. Kelly, a vocal critic of Biden’s border policies, hails from the border state of Arizona and has been involved in lobbying the administration on issues related to the border. Some Democratic strategists believe that Kelly could help soften Harris’ perceived weaknesses on the border crisis. Kelly has been seen as a valuable asset in Arizona, a swing state where border issues are particularly salient.
Kelly has expressed confidence that his potential selection as a VP candidate would not jeopardize Democrats’ chances of retaining his Senate seat in Arizona. He emphasized the strength of the state party and the diversity of other Democratic candidates available. Despite the speculation surrounding his VP candidacy, Kelly maintains that his focus is on serving his constituents and working in the best interest of Arizonans. As Harris continues to evaluate her options for a running mate, the political landscape remains uncertain, with potential implications for the upcoming election.
