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Fellow VP Contenders React To Walz's Selection As Harris' Running Mate

Harris and Walz are expected to make their first public appearance today in Pennsylvania

Published: August 6, 2024
  |   By Chris Bertman
Fellow VP Contenders React To Walz's Selection As Harris' Running Mate

Former VP contenders for Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign have thrown support behind her newly announced running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.


Along with Walz, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear were under consideration for Harris' VP pick.

On Tuesday morning, Harris announced Walz as her running mate.

The formerly considered contenders each shared a statement throwing support behind the Minnesota governor's selection.

In a long statement shared to X, Shapiro announced he would join the Harris-Walz team to campaign across Pennsylvania.

"My life in public service has always been motivated by my family and my faith," Shapiro wrote. "Since I first ran for State Representative 20 years ago, l've been called to serve because I want to leave our community, our Commonwealth, and our country better off for our children - and because my faith teaches me that no one is required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it."


Shapiro thanked Harris for the opportunity to speak about her vision for the presidency.


"As I've said repeatedly over the past several weeks, the running mate decision was a deeply personal decision for the Vice President - and it was also a deeply personal decision for me," he continued. "Pennsylvanians elected me to a four-year term as their Governor, and my work here is far from finished - there is a lot more stuff I want to get done for the good people of this Commonwealth."


"Vice President Kamala Harris has my enthusiastic support - and I know that Governor Tim Walz is an exceptionally strong addition to the ticket who will help Kamala move our country forward," the Pennsylvania governor concluded. "Lori and I consider Tim and Gwen to be good friends of ours and we are excited for them and for the country to get to know the great people we know them to be. Over the next 90 days, I look forward to traveling all across the Commonwealth to unite Pennsylvanians behind Kamala Harris' campaign to defeat Donald Trump, become the 47th President of the United States, and build a better future for our country."


Transportation Secretary Buttigieg praised Walz as an "exceptionally effective governor," adding Walz was "great to work with."

"I’m excited for what his Midwestern voice, military experience, and common-sense values will bring to our winning ticket, and for everything the Harris-Walz administration will deliver for Americans," Buttigieg wrote.



Senator Kelly also praised the Harris-Walz ticket saying, "They're already building a campaign to unite our country."

"Gabby Giffords and I are ready to do everything we can to help them win," Kelly added.



Beshear said it was an honor to be considered for Harris' running mate, though praised Walz's selection.

"I fully support this new ticket and will work to elect Kamala Harris as our next President of the United States," the Kentucky governor wrote.



Harris and Walz are expected to make their first public appearance as running mates later today in Pennsylvania.

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