Harris zeroing in on final decision of running mate, announcement is imminent

Vice President Kamala Harris’ search for a running mate entered its final hours Monday one day after interviewing the three top candidates.

Ms. Harris could announce her choice any time as she prepares for her first public appearance with the vice presidential pick Tuesday in Philadelphia.

The Harris campaign is expected to reveal the selection on social media.

On Sunday, Ms. Harris conducted final interviews with three top candidates — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro — at her residence in Washington.

Ms. Harris spent Friday meeting with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshar is also said to still be in the mix.

Mr. Shapiro is the betting favorite to land the job, but progressives have been pushing her to choose Mr. Walz.

Young progressive and pro-Palestinian activists have criticized Mr. Shapiro, who is Jewish, for his strong support for Israel and handling of college protests of the war in Gaza. He also has been criticized for promoting school voucher programs that send public tax dollars to private schools.

Mr. Shapiro could help Ms. Harris capture Pennsylvania and its 19 electoral votes, which is crucial to Democrats’ path to a White House victory.

Mr. Walz is a darling among progressives, but critics have complained about his delay in calling in the National Guard to contain the rioting in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd in May 2020. He is also not as well known on the national stage as other contenders and Minnesota is already likely in the blue column.

He spent 12 years in Congress representing rural communities and knows how to relate to those voters, which could appeal to residents in the blue wall states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

Mr. Kelly is a hawk on immigration, which could help shore up a weakness for Ms. Harris. His background as a former Navy combat pilot, space shuttle pilot and the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was almost killed in a 2011 shooting, brings star power and could blunt some of the male support for former President Donald Trump.

However, Democrats fear that if Mr. Kelly leaves his Senate seat, it could jeopardize control of the chamber. It is possible a Republican would win a special election in Arizona to finish Mr. Kelly’s term.

He has also been criticized by the United Auto Workers union for his early opposition to a bill that would support labor unions. However, Mr. Kelly has recently backtracked and said he would support the bill.