(NewsNation) — While nothing is absolutely certain with the Democratic Party’s approach to the 2024 election, many signs point to Kamala Harris being the inevitable nominee.
After President Joe Biden declared it was best for the party that he stepped down on Sunday, the 81-year-old endorsed Harris as his pick to be the Democratic nominee against former President Donald Trump.
While there is no certainty Harris will be chosen, who she may pick as her vice president should she be successful is even less clear.
Here are some of the candidates across the Democratic party who could be a possibility to join the Democratic ticket.
Gov. Andy Bashear
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
When murmurings of President Biden’s potential step-aside began, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was floated as a potential replacement.
In his second term as Kentucky governor, he has focused heavily on increasing pay for public school teachers and rebuilding infrastructure.
Beshear stood against an abortion ban passed by Kentucky Republicans and vetoed a bill that would’ve seen victims of rape and incest unable to get abortions.
Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg
Pete Buttigieg, US secretary of transportation (Tim Rue/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Pete Buttigieg unsuccessfully ran against Biden in the 2020 presidential race before being appointed to his current position by the current president.
While Buttigieg has received criticism for his performance as transport secretary, he is popular among the Democrat party and issued a takedown of Trump’s vice presidential pick, JD Vance, on “Real Time with Bill Maher” last week.
Gov. Roy Cooper
Roy Cooper (Grant Baldwin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The North Carolina governor is in his second term as the administrative figurehead of the Tar Heel State. It is a battleground state that could factor into the party’s thinking.
Cooper and Harris were together in Fayetteville, North Carolina, for a rally last Thursday where he was complimentary of the vice president.
““I know that (Harris) gets the job done. And, I know that she and Joe Biden need four more years to finish the job,” Cooper said, via WGHP.
Trump has been leading polls in North Carolina, per The Hill.
Sen. Mark Kelly
Senator Mark Kelly (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Similarly to Cooper, Mark Kelly is a key figure in a crucial state ahead of November’s election. Kelly is an independent senator who served in the Navy and has been sent into space for NASA several times.
Kelly has been an intriguing option floated by several outlets in recent days. He is the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was shot while meeting with constituents during 2011.
According to The Hill, Trump has a six point lead over Harris in the Grand Canyon State.
Gov. Gavin Newsom
Gov. Gavin Newsom (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
While Gov. Gavin Newsom seems one of the unlikelier candidates to run as VP to Harris, he is another popular figure among Democrat voters.
Newsom is serving his second term in California, is a proponent of affirmative action, welcomes women from other states to receive abortions in his state and successfully pushed to repeal the death penalty.
He endorsed Harris following Biden’s announcement to step down, saying “no one is better… (to) guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President, @KamalaHarris.”
Gov. JB Pritzker
Governor of Illinois JB Pritzker (Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for The Democratic Party of Wisconsin)
The Illinois governor’s career has been largely focused around fiscal responsibility and social reform. He raised the minimum wage to $15 per hour, is pro-abortion and pushed for the legalization of marijuana in the state.
Pritzker’s roots are in business and he has a net worth estimated to be $3.5 billion, owing to co-founding a venture capital firm. He is an heir to the Hyatt Hotels group, which was founded by his uncle, Jay Pritzker.
Gov. Josh Shapiro
Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Josh Shapiro fits the mold of holding a battleground state, and could be the answer to Trump’s pick of Ohioan JD Vance as his VP.
Shapiro has been in politics since 2005 and was elected to Pennsylvania governor in 2023. His focuses have largely been built around the economy and environment.
Per The Hill, Trump leads Harris in Pennsylvania by more than three points.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (Noam Galai/Getty Images for Clinton Global Initiative)
The Michigan governor is also placed in a key state for the election and recently said she was uninterested in running for president should Biden step aside.
Gretchen Whitmer is in her second term and is a staunch advocate of abortion. She has publicly said she was raped during college.
She has approved several gun violence prevention bills and admitted border reform is needed while acknowledging the positive impact immigration can have on economy.
