The 2024 race to the White House is about to take an important turn. Since Vice President Kamala Harris procured the necessary number of delegates to clinch the Democratic Party’s nomination, speculation has been rising as to who her running mate will be. Many names have been floated, ranging from California Governor Gavin Newsom to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. But now the race seems to have been narrowed down to a few key candidates as the nation waits for updates on the most likely Kamala Harris running mates. This comes at a pivotal time for financial markets as well. Many stocks fell today as negative energy swept over markets. Crypto prices are down as well, even after former President Donald Trump’s recent appearance at Bitcoin 2024. Harris hasn’t issued a statement on crypto yet, but she will likely do so soon if she wants to avoid alienating potential voters. This raises questions as to where her running mate will stand on digital assets as well.

Where Do Harris' Potential VP Picks Stand on Crypto?

Where do Harris’ potential VP picks stand on crypto? That question will likely be on many investors’ minds as Harris and her team narrow down the most likely running mates. While the U.S. waits for her campaign to make this key announcement, let’s take a look at what Harris’ top candidates have said about crypto.

Josh Shapiro: Bitcoin Mining Advocate

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is one of the leading contenders to be Harris’s running mate. Like Harris, Shapiro is a former attorney general and is just two years into his first term as governor.

Shapiro has also delivered a sharp balance between clean energy and fossil fuels, developing a reputation as a centrist as attorney general by prosecuting natural gas drillers and pipeline builders for their behavior. Shapiro has also advocated for his state to generate 35% of its electricity from clean energy by 2035. He hasn’t, however, advocated for a ban on fracking or tighter regulation.

Tim Walz: A Regulatory-Focused Approach to Crypto

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is another leading contender, although he is a relatively late entry to the so-called veepstakes. Walz was first elected to the U.S. House in 2006, won re-election five times, and became governor in 2019.

Under Walz’s tenure, Minnesota enacted investments in affordable housing, a tax credit aimed at low-income parents, and established the goal of a carbon-free electrical grid by 2040. By 2035, utilities must show that at least 55% of their energy sales are from renewable sources like wind, solar, hydroelectric, and biomass. Walz has also championed issues like free school meals for students and benefits for workers, such as increased protections for workers in Amazon warehouses and construction sites.

Andy Beshear: A Cautious Approach to Climate Change

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is one of the few Democrats leading an otherwise red state. For some, that makes him a great candidate to help win over Republicans and independent voters. Much of his popularity also comes from his strong responses to natural disasters and the pandemic.

Although Beshear has acknowledged the threat of climate change, he doesn’t bring it up often while working on energy legislation.

Mark Kelly: A Mixed Record on Climate Change and Labor

Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly is one of the few remaining politicians on the federal level who are on Harris’s shortlist. Kelly, a U.S. Navy veteran and astronaut, is also the husband of former House representative Gabrielle Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt at an event in Tucson in 2011.

Kelly has been a big player in the Senate since he took office in late 2020, cosponsoring legislation that enabled farmers to get incentives if they use techniques that store carbon, as well as a measure that put $4 billion for drought mitigation in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Arizona has received at least $10.5 billion in investments and incentives into clean energy from the IRA, which Kelly has said created more than 11,000 jobs.

What About the Other Candidates?

The four candidates above are the most likely choices for Harris’ running mate, but there are others who have been floated as well. Among them are the following:

• Gavin Newsom: The current governor of California, Newsom has made climate change a central issue of his administration. He has enacted policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy, and protect the state’s environment. He is likely to continue these efforts if he is elected president.
• Pete Buttigieg: The current Secretary of Transportation, Buttigieg has a strong record on climate change. He was a vocal advocate for action on climate change as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and he has continued to champion this issue in his current role. Buttigieg is a strong supporter of electric vehicles and other clean transportation technologies. He is also a believer in the need for government investment in green infrastructure.
• Gretchen Whitmer: The current governor of Michigan, Whitmer has made climate change a priority in her state. She has set ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy. She is also a strong supporter of investments in green infrastructure. Whitmer is a believer in the need for government action to address climate change.

It remains to be seen which of these candidates will ultimately be selected as Harris’ running mate. However, the choice will likely have a significant impact on the 2024 election, and it will be important to watch closely how the candidates’ stances on climate change and energy policy unfold.

Conclusion: The Crypto Landscape in the 2024 Election

As Kamala Harris prepares to announce her running mate, investors are wondering about their stance on crypto. The crypto market has been volatile in recent months, and the candidates’ views on digital assets could have a significant impact on the future of this emerging industry. Will Harris choose a candidate who is pro-crypto, or will she opt for someone who is more cautious? Only time will tell, but this is a question that will likely be on the minds of many investors in the coming weeks.