Kamala Harris disclosed that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was not her first choice as a running mate in the 2024 presidential election. According to reports, Harris revealed in her upcoming book, “107 Days,” that former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was her top pick.
Harris explained that Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., stood out for his ability to present liberal policies in a way that resonated with conservative audiences. She described him as “a sincere public servant” and expressed admiration for his work, noting their friendship.
Despite Harris’s initial preference, Walz was ultimately selected as her running mate. The pair faced a decisive defeat in the 2024 election, losing the popular vote, the Electoral College, and all swing states to former President Donald Trump.
In the book, Harris also criticized former President Joe Biden’s decision to seek re-election, calling it “recklessness.” She acknowledged the difficulty of advising him to step down, stating that such a move would have been perceived as self-serving. Additionally, she accused Biden’s team of amplifying negative narratives about her during her vice presidency.
Buttigieg, who gained national attention during the 2020 Democratic primaries, has emerged as a potential frontrunner for the 2028 presidential nomination. A recent survey indicated he leads Harris in hypothetical Democratic primary polls, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and others close behind. Earlier this month, Buttigieg echoed criticism of Biden’s re-election bid, stating the former president “should not have run.”