PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — All eyes will be on Philadelphia on Tuesday.
U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential contender Kamala Harris is expected to announce her running mate sometime Monday, with their first appearance to follow the next day in Philadelphia — fueling speculation that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro could be her choice.
Adding to the conjecture: Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker posted a video on Friday depicting several Philadelphia-area officials and Democrats promoting Harris, but also playing up Shapiro as her running mate. A person familiar with the mayor’s thinking said she had no insider knowledge about Harris’ intentions.
Harris and her yet-to-be-named VP pick are reportedly scheduled to rally at Temple University’s Liacouras Center Tuesday as the first stop on their campaign blitz, but they won’t be the only ones campaigning in Philly.
Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Republican Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate, will also be in South Philadelphia Tuesday for his own campaign rally, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. It will take place at 2300 Arena.
Harris interviewed at least three running mate contenders on Sunday in Washington. They were Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, according to a person familiar with the process who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the negotiations. Three other men have been in the mix: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Harris’ aggressive, seven-state battleground tour starts in Philadelphia and winds through Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. Campaign officials say each stop will be loaded with local election officials, religious leaders, union members and more in an effort to show the diversity of her coalition.
Everything about Harris’ campaign has been rapid-fire out of necessity. She’s only been a candidate for a little over two weeks, since President Joe Biden bowed out of the race following a dismal debate performance and escalating calls within the Democratic Party for him to step aside. The Democratic National Committee chair said on Friday that Harris had already secured enough votes to become the party’s nominee and will accept the nomination Monday night when voting ends.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.