We're now less than 100 days from Election Day, and Democratic Party officials are making clear they want to make their new presidential ticket official as quickly as possible.
Top party leaders have indicated they would like Vice President Harris to select her running mate by August 7th, which means this week will be full of speculation regarding who it might be.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have all been floated as leading contenders.
On Monday, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement that he would opt out of being vetted for the post. He said it "just wasn't the right time for North Carolina and for me to potentially be on a national ticket."
Political oddsmakers at the gambling site OddsChecker currently have Sen. Kelly followed by Gov. Shapiro as the favorites. Both have done things publicly in recent days to indicate they would want the job. Gov. Shapiro is highlighted Pennsylvania's importance with the Electoral College. Sen. Kelly has signed on to support a pro-labor bill and he's discussed what he believes are the high stakes of this race.
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"People have always tried to 'balance the ticket' with a vice presidential pick," Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore told Scripps News. "I do think that it's really important for her to show some diversity. She is an African-American woman. And so I think a very balanced ticket, you know, might be to choose a man."
Currently, of all the major swing states, Pennsylvania has the most Electoral College votes up for grabs, 19 in total. It's why Gov. Shapiro's name keeps getting mentioned.
Whoever is selected would likely face off against Senator J.D. Vance in a vice presidential debate. That debate was supposed to happen in mid August, but is currently on hold as the country waits for news of Harris' pick.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Mark Kelly is on the shortlist as Harris' running mate, not Scott Kelly, who is Mark's twin brother.
