Who might be Kamala Harris' running mate? Leading contenders Democrats may be considering.



With President Joe Biden stepping out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsing his vice president, Kamala Harris, rumors are swirling about Harris' potential pick for running mate, should she secure the nomination.

Since the Sunday announcement from the Biden administration, Harris has raised roughly $50 million in donations, according to Lauren Hitt, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, The Hill reported.

Harris responded to Biden's support in a recent statement, noting, "I am honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination."

"I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation — to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda," she continued. "We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win."

Democrats have already started naming their preferred vice presidential picks for a Harris ticket. Those being considered so far appear to include Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and United States Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona. All of the floated potential candidates are Democratic politicians from red or purple swing states.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro

Shapiro, viewed as a likely pick for running mate, was among several Democrats to endorse Harris in the upcoming presidential election in the wake of Biden's announcement that he was stepping out of the race.

In a Sunday statement, Shapiro wrote, "I've known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades — we've both been prosecutors, we've both stood up for the rule of law, we've both fought for the people and delivered results. Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support and she will continue the work of generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance real freedom. She has served the country honorably as Vice President and she is ready to be President."

Shapiro claimed that the "best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency."

"I will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as the 47th President of the United States," he declared.

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North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper

Cooper also threw his support behind Harris' campaign. He won his gubernatorial elections in 2016 and 2020 — the same years that former President Donald Trump secured wins in North Carolina. Cooper will have reached his term limit as governor after this year.

Cooper wrote on X Sunday afternoon, "President Biden has cemented his place among our nation's finest Presidents. When our democracy faced danger, President Biden stood strong as the rarest type of leader who could help us forge ahead with a vision to repair our country's soul."

In a separate post, Cooper declared that Harris "should be the next President," noting that he has known her since they both served as attorneys general.

"She has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country thoughtfully and with integrity. I look forward to campaigning for her as we work to win NC up and down the ticket," Cooper said.

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Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear

Beshear stated that Biden's decision to suspend his presidential campaign "could not have been easy" but was "in the best interest of our country, and our party."

The governor appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Monday to announce his "full support" for Harris' presidential campaign.

"She's incredibly tough & smart, w/ the compassion and empathy to be a phenomenal president. She'll bring our country together and move us past the anger politics we've seen in recent years," Beshear wrote on X.

In 2020, Beshear secured his second term as governor, defeating a Trump-backed Republican opponent.

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U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly

Rumors are circulating that Kelly is also among those being considered as Harris' running mate. On Sunday, Kelly stated that he "couldn't be more confident" that Harris "is the right person to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country into the future."

"She has my support for the nomination, and Gabby and I will do everything we can to elect her President of the United States," Kelly added, referring to his wife, Gabrielle Giffords (D), a former U.S. Representative from Arizona.

Kelly praised Biden for being "one of the most consequential presidents in history," crediting the president for his response to COVID and "bring[ing] back microchip and clean energy manufacturing."

"He has strengthened our alliances and made our country safer," he claimed.

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Anything else?

While it remains to be seen whom Harris might select as her vice president, the Wall Street Journal reported that she spoke with Shapiro, Cooper, and Beshear on Sunday afternoon.

Additional potential running mates who may be up for Harris' consideration include Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia, and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

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Pritzker touts marijuana sales in Illinois



Illionois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, raised eyebrows by celebrating marijuana sales in the state.

"For the third year in a row, Illinois had record-setting growth for adult-use cannabis sales. We're building the most prosperous and accessible cannabis industry in the nation – taking steps to repair the damage of the past and creating real opportunity for all Illinoisans," Pritzker's post declared.

Dana Perino responded by tweeting, "You're bragging about this? geez Louise."

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"This is all that JB Pritzker has to offer- drugs and abortion. What a dark, depressing agenda for a state filled with such hopeful people," GOP Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois tweeted.

Pritzker, who took office in early 2019 and won re-election in 2022, has claimed that "abortion access is healthcare."

"The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation ('IDFPR') announced today that adult use cannabis sales set a new annual record in 2023, exceeding $1.6 billion," according to a press release issued earlier this month. The state is raking in tax revenues due to the pot sales. "Sales taxes collected at Illinois adult use cannabis dispensaries totaled $417.6 million in 2023, per the Illinois Department of Revenue," the press release stated.

"Approximately 3 in 10 people who use marijuana have marijuana use disorder," the CDC notes. "Some signs and symptoms of marijuana use disorder include trying but failing to quit using marijuana or giving up important activities with friends and family in favor of using marijuana. The risk of developing marijuana use disorder is stronger in people who start using marijuana during youth or adolescence and who use marijuana more frequently."

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Media, Dems struggle to cope with Donald Trump's landslide Iowa caucuses victory



Democrats and the media are downplaying the significance of Donald Trump's Iowa caucuses victory to cope with his political resurgence.

Trump's historic landslide victory was unorthodox. He did not participate in any of the Republican debates held before the caucuses, and he publicly sparred with some of Iowa's biggest political influences, including Gov. Kim Reynolds (R). But that didn't matter. By winning more than 50% of support from caucus-goers — and nearly all of Iowa's 99 counties — Trump recorded the biggest margin of victory in the Iowa Republican caucuses.

But Trump's opponents quickly tried to minimize the feat.

"Almost half of the base of the Republican Party showing up for this caucus tonight voted against Donald Trump," said Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) on MSNBC.

"Think about that. This is the most famous Republican. He's the guy who, you know, basically built the modern Republican Party ... that the Democrats are running against, and half the people in that party didn’t vote for Donald Trump. So, I think that is telling. It tells you the weakness of Donald Trump, and also the opportunity for Democrats," he continued.

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MSNBC host Joe Scarborough made a similar argument on "Morning Joe" the morning after the caucuses.

According to Scarborough, it is "bad news" for Republicans that Trump earned only 51% of caucus-goer's support.

"I want to look at this another way: If Barack Obama took four years off and then ran in a Democratic caucus in Iowa, would 50% of Democrats vote against Barack Obama? No. No, they wouldn't," Scarborough said, later adding, "Fifty percent of people voting in the Iowa caucuses against a former president is bad news for that party's prospects in the general election — not good news."

This argument, however, is downright silly.

Their argument suggests that because half of Iowa Republicans chose not to support Trump in their caucuses, those voters will support President Joe Biden in the general election. But there is no evidence to support this conclusion.

Few, if any, Republican voters who oppose Trump will cast their vote for Biden. The majority of anti-Trump Republicans, instead, are likely to vote third-party, write in a candidate, or vote against Biden — by voting for Trump.

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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker presses Biden for federal assistance amid 'humanitarian crisis' caused by migrant influx



In a letter to President Joe Biden, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker called for the federal government to assist the state as it grapples with a "humanitarian crisis" due to an influx of migrants.

"But as the numbers being transported to Chicago are accelerating, the humanitarian crisis is overwhelming our ability to provide aid to the refugee population. Unfortunately, the welcome and aid Illinois has been providing to these asylum seekers has not been matched with support by the federal government. Most critically, the federal government's lack of intervention and coordination at the border has created an untenable situation for Illinois," Pritzker wrote.

The Democrat's plea for assistance comes as the U.S. continues to face a massive influx of migrants inundating its southern border.

Texas has been transporting some migrants to left-wing cities like Chicago and New York.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has described the border as "too open right now."

Pritzker noted that the crisis is costing his state big bucks.

"Our state government has been forced to dedicate over $330 million to provide humanitarian aid — and that amount is increasing each day. That's a massive amount of money for a state still overcoming the health and economic effects of COVID-19. Add to that the over $100 million the city of Chicago contribute," he wrote..

"There is much more that can and must be done on a federal level to address a national humanitarian crisis that is currently being shouldered by state and local governments without support," Pritzker asserted. "Today, Illinois stands mostly unsupported against this enormous strain on our state resources," he wrote.

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'This is madness': Illinois Gov. Pritzker signs bill allowing non-US citizens to become police officers



Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker – a Democrat – signed a bill into law on Friday that would allow non-U.S. citizens to become police officers. Opponents of the bill argue that it would be "madness" to allow foreign nationals to arrest American citizens.

After passing the Illinois State House and Senate, Pritzker signed into law Illinois House Bill 3751.

Illinois House Bill 3751 states:

Provides that an individual who is not a citizen but is legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law is authorized to apply for the position of police officer, subject to all requirements and limitations, other than citizenship, to which other applicants are subject."

According to WTVO, "Illinois’ move would allow any immigrant with legal authorization to work, or who remains in the country under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Act, to apply for the position."

CBS News Chicago reported last month, "Federal law states that only U.S. citizens can serve as police officers and deputies."

There has been much opposition to the bill.

Republican Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois slammed the new law allowing non-U.S. citizens to become police officers on Saturday.

"At 5 p.m. yesterday, when no one was paying attention, Pritzker signed a bill to allow illegal immigrants to become police officers, giving non-citizens the power to arrest citizens in our state," Miller wrote on Twitter. "No sane state would allow foreign nationals to arrest their citizens, this is madness!"

The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police declared earlier this month, "What message does this legislation send when it allows people who do not have legal status to become the enforcers of our laws? This is a potential crisis of confidence in law enforcement at a time when our officers need all the public confidence they can get."

In May, Illinois state Sen. Chapin Rose (R) said it would be a "fundamental breach of democracy."

"To hand the power to arrest and detain a citizen of this state, or a citizen of any state in the United States, to a non-citizen is a fundamental breach of democracy," Rose proclaimed. "It is antithetical to the police power of any state.”

"It's just a fundamentally bad idea," he added.

The bill goes into effect in Illinois on Jan. 1, 2024.

Sen. Rose Blasts Legislation to Allow Non-Citizens to Serve as Police Officers www.youtube.com

In September 2022, California Gov. Gavin Newson signed Senate Bill 960 into law, which "repealed existing citizenship requirements for peace officers, including police, corrections and highway patrol officers," according to the Associated Press.

Pritzker signed 130 bills into law on Friday – including House Bill 2297, which would require state agencies to add "non-binary" or "gender non-confirming" categories in their employment reports.

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Illinois Gov. Pritzker signs anti-book ban bill; blasts DeSantis, Republicans' 'extreme views' on sexually explicit materials



Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) signed a law Monday that will withhold state funding from public and school libraries that remove books from shelves, the Center Square reported.

"Here in Illinois, we don't hide from the truth, we embrace it," Gov. Prizker said in a statement Monday.

"Young people shouldn't be kept from learning about the realities of our world; I want them to become critical thinkers, exposed to ideas that they disagree with, proud of what our nation has overcome, and thoughtful about what comes next."

House Bill 2789 will take effect January 1, 2024.

"Governor Pritzker keeps taking more and more steps to extinguish parental rights," Laura Hois, co-chair of Awake Illinois' Downers Grove Chapter, told WLS-TV.

The first-of-its-kind legislation will render public libraries ineligible for public funding if they restrict or ban materials for "partisan or doctrinal" reasons.

Specifically, in order to receive state funding, the bill requires libraries to adopt the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights. Alternatively, libraries may "develop a written statement declaring the inherent authority of the library or library system to provide an adequate collection of books and other materials ... and prohibit the practice of banning specific books or resources."

"Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval," according to Section II of the ALA's LBOR.

An official press release covering Pritzker's signing of the bill took aim at Republicans in general and Florida's Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential contender, specifically.

The Illinois governor claimed "extremists" have recently been "targeting literature, libraries and books in an effort to censor material students need to thrive in the classroom."

Those materials required to thrive, according to the press release, include stories by and about the LGBTQ+ community.

TheBlaze has extensively covered parents' and legislators' efforts to protect children from sexually explicit, age-inappropriate and pornographic material, some of which falls into the LGBTQ+ category.

According to the release, Pritzker demanded that the CEO of the College Board "reverse the decision to remove crucial parts of the curriculum from the Advanced Placement course in African American Studies after pressure to do so from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis."

In addition, Pritzker and other governors urged that major textbook publishers "not censor educational materials in the face of additional pressure from Republicans."

California's Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) threatened to "expose" textbook publishers "colluding" with Florida, as TheBlaze reported on May 21.

"There are few perils to our democracy as dangerous as book bans. They threaten the very freedom of thought and speech that underpin our republic," said Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery, whose union supports the bill.

Watch coverage from WLS-TV below of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signing legislation outlawing book bans in the Prairie State.

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