Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, alongside his firm Covington & Burling LLP, has been tasked with vetting potential running mates for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. This strategic move comes after President Joe Biden announced his decision to step aside, clearing the path for Harris’ run for the Democratic nomination.
The Harris campaign has kept tight-lipped on the matter, while Holder has yet to comment on his new role. As Harris gears up to secure the nomination, the choice of a running mate looms large as a crucial early decision. Biden, who picked Harris as his VP in 2020, praised her as his best decision in his candidacy withdrawal letter.
Holder’s tenure as Attorney General under President Barack Obama and his distinction as the first African American in that role bring a wealth of experience and reassurance to the vetting process. His involvement signals a robust effort to ensure Harris’ running mate is not only free of conflicts but also capable of tackling formidable opponents like Donald Trump and potentially stepping into the presidency if necessary.
Names circulating as potential candidates include Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
Holder, a prominent civil rights advocate, also chairs the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, a group dedicated to combating Republican gerrymandering practices. This role aligns with Harris’ own advocacy for voting rights, a key issue she championed as Vice President, despite limited success in enacting major reforms.
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