Kamala Harris: Who Would Be Her VP? President Joe Biden is running in 2024. Vice President Kamala Harris is his running mate.

But what if health issues forced Biden out of the race and the White House? 

And who would that presidential candidate’s vice presidential pick be?

It’s all probably fruitless speculation but consider for a moment if Harris became the president under circumstances where Biden needed to step down. 

Who, then, would Harris choose as a running mate? 

Below, we will review some options for Kamala Harris.

Pete Buttigieg

Buttigieg is the most prominent secretary of transportation ever, but he has had a tough couple of months.

First, Southwest Airlines canceled a huge chunk of their holiday flights, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. Buttigieg had been encouraged, earlier in the year, to penalize airlines for canceling flights in the hopes of staving off a situation like the one that unfurled over the holidays. Buttigieg demurred and the fiasco unfolded, so he came away with some egg on his face.

Later, a train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in Ohio. Buttigieg tried to blame the Trump administration for relaxing railway safety standards, but ultimately, Buttigieg was in charge of our country’s transportation at the time of the derailment, and the incident further degrades his stock. 

Buttigieg would nevertheless be a top contender for the VP slot. He is a national figure with midwestern credentials. The Democratic establishment loves Buttigieg, yet he’s also managed to curry some favor among progressives on account of his progressive rhetoric and homosexuality. Harris would give Buttigieg a good look if she needed to select a running mate.

Bernie Sanders

This is a long shot, but Bernie is still the gold standard for progressive politicians. If Harris wants to balance out her mainstream appeal with a proper progressive candidate, she could consider Bernie. 

Bernie inspires strong emotions, though. While he is sure to enthuse progressives, he will get a sideways glance from moderates, and he runs the risk of alienating swing voters. Since these voters probably (inaccurately) view Harris herself as a progressive politician, she may steer clear of the polarizing senator from Vermont. 

Oh, and Bernie is already 81 years old.

Gretchen Whitmer

Whitmer is an enticing choice for Democrats.

Not only is she the governor of a swing state (Michigan), but she keeps winning there, convincingly. Forgive me for stating the obvious, but Whitmer is also a woman, and a ticket led by two women would be like catnip for the identity-obsessed Democrats. 

That said, Whitmer is in an envious position as the governor of Michigan. Democrats just won back both chambers of the state legislature for the first time in four decades, which means Whitmer has an opportunity to be productive and leave a mark on her home state. Would she leave an opportunity like that to be a vice presidential candidate?

About the Author 

Harrison Kass is a Senior Editor for National Interest and an opinion writer. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.