Harris Prepares for High-Stakes Philly Rally to Reveal Mystery Running Mate

Sources within Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign have maintained secrecy regarding her choice for a running mate. The official announcement is anticipated ahead of a rally scheduled in Philadelphia.

WASHINGTON — In an atmosphere of suspense, Vice President Kamala Harris is poised to introduce her new running mate during a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening. With the event nearly upon us, the identity of her chosen partner remains under wraps.

Recently, attention has been focused on three potential candidates: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. However, no further decisions have been publicly disclosed.

The campaign intends to unveil the selection through a video message preceding the rally. This timing remains uncertain, as per an insider privy to the confidential discussions.

This method echoes the approach taken in 2020 when then-candidate Joe Biden announced Harris as his vice-presidential pick amid the presidential race disrupted by the pandemic.

This announcement is a significant milestone in the mere two weeks since Harris assumed leadership at the top of the Democratic ticket for the upcoming November election. Since then, she has been working vigorously to rejuvenate the Democratic campaign against Republican Donald Trump.

Harris, accompanied by second gentleman Doug Emhoff and her newly chosen running mate, will host a rally in Philadelphia. This mirrors the 2020 joint appearance by Biden and Harris in Wilmington, Delaware, and a similar 2016 event where Senator Tim Kaine joined Hillary Clinton in Miami following his selection.

Following the event in Pennsylvania, Harris and her running mate will embark on a five-day tour covering critical swing states. Stops are planned in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Detroit on Wednesday. However, a scheduled visit to Savannah, Georgia, has been postponed due to Tropical Storm Debby, which may also disrupt their plans in Durham, North Carolina.

Later in the week, the campaign trail will lead them to Phoenix and Las Vegas.

The pre-set schedule, decided before the running mate was disclosed, adds a dramatic flair reminiscent of Trump withholding his vice-presidential pick—Ohio Senator JD Vance—until the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee was already underway.

Vance, aiming to counteract Harris’ announcement, plans to be in Philadelphia before the Democratic rally to deliver his own speech.

Moreover, Vance intends to shadow Harris and her running mate with events in Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina, although weather conditions might impact his plans in the southern states.

The Trump campaign criticized Harris and Democratic policies during Vance’s travel announcement, attributing a series of national issues to them, labeling Harris’ policies as “weak” and “dangerously liberal.”

In response, Harris’ campaign welcomed the simultaneous appearances.

“We appreciate JD Vance providing voters in battleground states with a clear choice this November,” said Harris campaign spokesman Charles Lutvak.

The Harris campaign has extended invitations to faith leaders, union members, and state and local officials for the forthcoming events. The rallies will range from large arenas to college campuses and include more intimate venues like union halls and family-owned restaurants.

At a fundraiser in Minneapolis, Walz emphasized the negative impact of Trump’s leadership, describing it as a theft of American joy and a restriction of freedoms. His characterization of the GOP ticket as “weird” has gained traction amongst Democrats.

If Harris selects Shapiro, the event in Philadelphia would feel like a homecoming for him, given his roots in the suburbs.

Shapiro’s potential nomination has faced criticism from some Arab Americans and activists due to his stance on Israel, especially amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict. Nonetheless, Shapiro holds strong approval ratings in Pennsylvania, a crucial state for Democrats.

During a “Progressives for Harris” call, participants criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and expressed concerns over Biden’s support for Israel. However, they refrained from directly criticizing Harris’ potential picks, focusing instead on opposing Trump.

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren highlighted the economic stakes of the election, contrasting Trump and Vance’s promises with the Democrats’ agenda to tax the rich.

Supporters of Kelly, a former astronaut, point to his border state experience which may counteract Trump’s immigration criticisms. However, some union leaders are concerned about Kelly’s alignment with labor policies.