Kamala Harris reportedly interviews Mark Kelly of Arizona as running mate search winds down

PHOENIX – Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly interviewed U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona over the weekend as the Democratic presidential nominee’s search for a running mate winds down.

A person familiar with the process told The Associated Press that Harris interviewed Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in Washington, D.C., on Sunday.

Either of the three could provide Harris with a swing-state boost. Pennsylvania has 19 Electoral College votes, Arizona has 11 and Minnesota has 10.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also thought to be top contenders for the vice president slot on the Democratic ticket.

Some congressional Democrats have promoted Kelly, saying his selection could help defuse Republican nominee Donald Trump’s attacks on the current administration’s immigration policies.

However, Reuters, citing sources with knowledge of the matter, reported Monday that Harris has narrowed the field down to two finalists: Shapiro and Walz.

When will Kamala Harris announce her running mate?

On Friday, Harris secured enough delegates to become her party’s nominee, making the transition from President Joe Biden at the top of the ticket official.

Harris is expected to hold her first rally with her newly anointed running mate on Tuesday evening in Philadelphia. It’s not clear whether she’ll reveal her VP pick before then.

The Pennsylvania rally kicks off a whirlwind of campaign events in seven battleground states, including a Friday stop in Arizona.

Here’s Harris’ full tour itinerary for the week: Philadelphia (Tuesday evening); Eau Claire, Wisconsin (Wednesday afternoon); Detroit (Wednesday evening); Raleigh, North Carolina (Thursday evening); Savannah, Georgia (Friday afternoon); Phoenix (Friday evening); and Las Vegas (Saturday afternoon).

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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