Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign has dropped some strong hints to donors that the vice president could tap a governor as her running mate, even as Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) is still believed to be a serious contender.
Behind the scenes, the Harris campaign has urged donors to open their coffers quickly due to concerns over restrictions on donations to tickets with a sitting governor, Axios reported.
Several key donors in the financial sector were reportedly left with the impression that they have until Sunday to cut their checks.
Harris, 59, is expected to stump with her VP pick next Tuesday and hold a rally with that individual in Philadephia, according to Politico.
Most of the names that have dominated the rumor mill of the veepstakes are governors, including Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Tim Walz of Minnesota.
However, the Securities and Exchange Commission has a pay-to-play rule for financial firms that restricts donations to campaigns or politicians in states or localities to whom a given financial institution could offer services.
In other words, the rule is intended to block key officials at financial institutions from donating to politicians in state or local government who may have control over key assets such as pension funds.
When a sitting state official vies for a federal office, the rule affects them as well.
Institutions covered under the rule include asset managers and certain banks.
“Any reporting on developments or updates in Vice President Harris’ running mate search are premature and speculative. Vice President Harris is considering a large pool of qualified candidates,” a campaign spokesperson told The Post.
“We do not expect to have additional updates until the Vice President announces who will be serving as her running mate and as the next Vice President of the United States,” the person added.
There are some questions about the extent to which that SEC rule applies to PACs.
The Harris campaign had touted an eye-popping $200 million fundraising haul within less than the first week of President Biden’s decision to pass the baton.
On Tuesday, Harris told reporters that she has “not yet” made a decision about her running mate. She is also rumored to begin conducting interviews this week for her big decision.
There are at least two individuals who are not governors that are also rumored to be on her shortlist — Kelly and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Kelly, 60, has particularly attracted buzz given a perception among some Democratic strategists that he could help mollify some of Harris’ general election liabilities on the border crisis.
Hailing from the border state of Arizona, Kelly has been somewhat outspoken on the issue, which polls generally peg as a leading concern among voters with the Biden administration.
Biden, 81, had tapped Harris earlier on in his administration to tackle the root causes of the migration crisis, which has led to GOP attacks that have dubbed her a failed “border czar.”
The Arizona senator has publicly dinged Biden over the border in the past, including his decision to lift Title 42, a pandemic-era policy that allowed for the rapid deportation of those who crossed the border illegally.
Kelly had also lobbied the administration to clamp down on multiple occasions. At times, Biden’s administration took notice, including in one instance where it moved to finish off parts of the border wall in southwestern Arizona.
The Grand Canyon State Democrat has drawn attention from the top brass of his party for his ability to win in a swing state where the border issue is especially potent.
“Democrats have been really good about winning statewide races in the state of Arizona. We figured this out. We have a strong state party,” he told reporters when asked about whether him jumping on the VP slot could endanger Democrats’ grip on Arizona’s Senate seat.
“I don’t think it’ll be an issue. I think we’ve got a great slate of other Democrats but this is not about me,” he added.