How will Kamala Harris take over from US president?

Will anyone challenge Harris?

Even before Biden announced his decision, Democrats floated California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer as potential contenders in addition to Harris. Yet some Democrats argued publicly, and many privately, that it would be a no-brainer to elevate the first woman, first Black woman and first person of south Asian descent to hold national office.

Given how important Black voters -– and Black women especially -– were to Biden’s nomination and his choice of Harris as running mate, it would be risky, to say the least, for Democrats to pass her over for a white nominee. Democrats already faced historical headwinds before Biden’s withdrawal. Newsom and Whitmer, both of whom are white, and any other Democrat would also have to weigh the short-term and long-term benefits of challenging Harris now versus preserving goodwill for a future presidential primary. So far, both have endorsed Harris and have given no indication they will run.

Yet, fair or not, Harris also has not been viewed as an especially beloved or empowered vice president. The best scenario for her and Democrats is to quickly shore up support and project a united front. Democrats could even go forward with their plans for an early virtual vote – a move they’d planned to make sure Biden was selected ahead of Ohio’s general election ballot deadline.

How will a vice presidential nomination work?

The vice presidential nomination is always a separate convention vote. In routine years, the convention ratifies the choice of the nominee.

If Harris closes ranks quickly, she could name her choice and have the delegates ratify it. In an extended fight, though, the vice presidency could become part of horse-trading – again, a return to conventions of an earlier era.

Who could Harris choose?

These are some of the top people being discussed, provided they don’t seek the presidential nomination themselves, according to people familiar with internal policy discussions.

Andy Beshear, Governor, Kentucky

Beshear has carved a successful political career in a heavily Republican state that voted for Republican Donald Trump by a margin of more than 25 percentage points in 2020. Beshear has touted his record of bringing jobs to Kentucky, supporting public education and expanding healthcare access. As governor, he has vetoed legislation banning abortions and gender-affirming care for transgender youth, although the vetoes were overridden by the Republican-dominated legislature.

Pete Buttigieg, US Secretary of Transportation

Buttigieg built a strong fan base among Democratic Party voters during his 2020 primary run against both Biden and Harris, winning the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus. Seen as a polished defender of Biden policies, Buttigieg later endorsed Biden and was picked to join the incoming administration’s Cabinet in 2021. The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor also has deep ties in Michigan, a critical state for Democrats in November.

Roy Cooper, Governor, North Carolina

Cooper has won praise from Democrats for his strong focus on economic development and his ability to win relatively strong approval ratings in a politically competitive state that leans Republican and voted for Republican candidate Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020.

Mark Kelly, Senator, Arizona

Kelly is well-liked among Democratic Party elites for striking a relatively moderate tone in a hotly contested state that traditionally has favoured Republicans, but which Biden won in 2020. A former US Navy captain and astronaut, Kelly is also the husband of former Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was seriously wounded in a 2011 shooting. Gun violence is a major campaign issue for Democrats.

Josh Shapiro, Governor, Pennsylvania

Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania’s governor, took office just last year but is already seen as a rising star for the party nationally. Trained as a lawyer, Shapiro served as the state’s attorney general, a legal background that is similar to Harris’ own as a prosecutor. He has a long history of winning elections against Republicans in a state that Democrats believe they must win to secure the election in November.

J.B. Pritzker, Governor, Illinois

The billionaire has proven a major force in the party, tapping his own financial resources linked to Hyatt Hotels to help Biden’s campaign effort and to stand up the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month. While Illinois leans heavily Democratic, neighbouring Wisconsin is one of the biggest prizes in the 2024 election.

Gretchen Whitmer, Governor, Michigan

Whitmer has built a strong base in the closely contested state of Michigan, running on a platform of straight talk and kitchen-table issues. She attracted Biden’s attention in 2020, being vetted as a possible running mate before Biden picked Harris. She was a top supporter of and spokesperson for Biden’s reelection bid.

A Harris-Whitmer ticket would be the first all-woman ticket for a major US political party – a potential bonus in an election where women’s reproductive rights are a top issue.

What happens to Biden’s campaign money?

Biden’s campaign recently reported $US91 million cash on hand. Allied Democratic campaign committees brought the total at his disposal to more than $US240 million. Campaign finance experts agree generally that Harris could control all those funds since the campaign was set up in her name as well as Biden’s.

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If Democrats do nominate someone other than Harris, party accounts could still benefit the nominee, but the Biden-Harris account would have more restrictions. For example, legal experts say it could become an independent expenditure political action committee but not simply transfer its balance to a different nominee.

Can Republicans keep Harris off state ballots?

Any curveball during a US presidential campaign is certain to produce a flurry of state and federal lawsuits in this hyper-partisan era, and some conservatives have threatened just that.

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State laws, though, typically do not prescribe how parties choose their nominees for president. And some GOP figures – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey – have worked already this year to ensure their party did not deny Democrats’ routine ballot access.

AP, Reuters