WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign has requested vetting materials from five potential running mates, according to two sources familiar with the effort to review the backgrounds of those being considered.
The five Democratic vice presidential candidates are North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper; Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro; Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona; Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer; and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona and North Carolina are among the critical states Harris may need to win the Electoral College in November.
Two other possible names being discussed include Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and former Rep. Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, who served as co-chair of the Biden-Harris campaign, one of the sources said. It is unclear whether the two received verification materials.
NBC News reached out to all the possible choices.
Kevin Munoz, a spokesman for Harris’ campaign, dismissed any speculation about who her pick might be.
“Any reports regarding developments or updates in the search for Vice President Harris’ running mate are premature and speculative. Vice President Harris is considering a large pool of qualified candidates and will choose a partner who shares her commitment to fighting for the middle class, protecting Americans’ freedoms, and protecting our democracy. And when that candidate is chosen, together, they will easily defeat the Trump-Vance ticket in November,” he said in a statement.
Sources did not say whether Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who was considered another possible pick, had received vetting materials.
Eric Holder, who served as attorney general in the Obama administration, has been tasked with leading the vetting process for Harris’ potential running mates, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
Holder and the law firm where he is senior counsel, Covington & Burling LLP, will oversee the operation, which is taking place on a more compressed schedule compared to other election cycles, given President Joe Biden’s late decision to exit the 2024 race.
The goal is still to have Harris as the vice-presidential candidate before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, scheduled for August 19-22.
The exact mechanism for how this person will be formally appointed is still being worked out and the process remains fluid. The Democratic National Committee is still expected to hold a virtual vote around the first week of August to nominate Harris. The rules committee will meet on Wednesday to discuss how this process will work.
On her first full day as a presidential candidate on Monday, the majority of pledged convention delegates endorsed Harris for the Democratic nomination.
This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com read the full story
