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It's been less than 36 hours since President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, and Vice President Kamala Harris will be taking the baton. Now, the No. 1 burning question is who will she choose as her running mate? A handful of names have been tossed around, many of them solid picks—but the choice may come down to the demographic she needs to court rather than which person she likes best. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker may be who she needs to grab that never-Trump Republican vote.
The Lincoln Project Demographic
While former President Donald Trump maintains fevered support from the MAGA crowd, he continues to turn moderates and GOP-leaning independents away from the Republican Party—even those who backed him in the previous elections.
An example of this came during an interview of an independent voter named Scott Simeone who said, "I can't vote for Trump. He's a crook. He's too corrupt. I voted for him, and I didn't realize he's as corrupt as he is."
You see it in the polls as well. A New York Times poll conducted in December showed that only 24 percent of unaffiliated voters would choose Trump in the presidential match-up. In Iowa, two in 10 voters don't want a Trump presidency and in New Hampshire, it is about one in three. A quarter of South Carolinians reject him as well.
It is clearly a demographic that could help break that glass ceiling and put Harris in the Oval Office.
J.B. Pritzker, who defeated Republican Bruce Rauner in 2018 to become the governor of Illinois, has already voiced his support for the Harris campaign saying, "She represents our Party's best chance to defeat Donald Trump in November, and I will work my heart out to help her do that."
The billionaire governor is an enticing pick. His substantial net worth allowed him to nearly self-fund his 2018 and 2022 campaigns, and he is known to give freely to other democrats when needed.
Pritzker is one of the founders of the Pritzker Group, a venture capital firm as well as an heir to the Hyatt hotels. Should the hypothetical Harris-Pritzker ticket need a cash infusion, he is well-equipped to provide it because "unlike Donald Trump, he is a real billionaire." (Not that Madame VP needs any help on the financial front—she's already killing it on the fundraising front.)
Why Harris Might Choose Him
Pritzker has had a hand in quite a few progressive wins for the state of Illinois.
—Legalized Marijuana—Recreational use was legalized in Illinois in 2020 making it the 11th state to do so. However, the bill Pritzker signed did more than just legalize usage, it also included "a comprehensive legalization package" that allowed for 700,000 low-level convictions to be expunged.
—Raised Minimum Wage—Making good on a campaign promise, Pritzker signed a measure in 2019 to move the state's minimum wage from $8.25 to $15 by 2025.
—Protected Abortion Rights—Illinois' Reproductive Health Act, which Pritzker signed in 2019, made reproductive health care a fundamental right in the state. "When it comes to contraception, abortion, and reproductive care, this law puts the decision-making where it belongs: in the hands of women and their doctors," Pritzker said at the signing.
Why Never-Trumpers Might Choose Him
It is abundantly clear that Pritzker has no love for Trump. When the former president was convicted in the hush money trial, Pritzker released a statement that said, "Donald Trump is a racist, a homophobe, a grifter, and a threat to this country. He can now add one more title to his list - a felon."
Dislike for Trump isn't enough to garner votes though.
But, conservative-leaning independents might find Pritzker palatable because of his business ties. It is no secret that Republicans love a rich white dude.
The economy is a big factor in everyone's decision this election, and Pritzker may have the economic chops to collect votes in November. His supporters in the state brag about how he "stabilized Illinois' finances," balanced the budget, and "helped get the state back on its feet." These accomplishments will sit very well with those worried about the financial state of the nation.
Problems the Ticket Will Face
A VP Pritzker would likely fare well in his state which gets 19 electoral college votes in 2024, but it has swung blue in the last eight presidential elections—not much of a help to the Harris campaign. But, he is a better choice than California Governor Gavin Newsom, who would likely lose her a swath of California electoral votes.
Pritzker's toilet scandal is not something the Trump campaign is likely to leave alone, and then there are his comments caught on a FBI wiretap to contend with. Pritzker's scandals may be a hard sell for the Harris campaign. He is still a good VP choice in the long run.
Dara Brewton is an actress and writer.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
