Vice President Kamala Harris is set to announce her running mate next week. She is reportedly considering several governors who could appeal to moderate voters in swing states like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also being considered.
Choosing the best candidate from a libertarian perspective is not as clear-cut as it was on the Republican side. However, it’s worth examining each potential candidate.
Starting with the national figures, Buttigieg, as a member of the current administration, has implemented federal policies. His tenure as Transportation secretary has not been particularly libertarian, as he has not made significant attempts to address bureaucratic obstacles. He has also shown a more technocratic approach rather than a progressive one, which may not align with libertarian values.
On the other hand, Kelly, with his inspiring background as an astronaut and husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords, has mostly supported President Biden’s policies. While he has some deviations on energy and environmental issues, his overall alignment with his party may not fully resonate with libertarian ideals.
Among the governors, Walz and Beshear have longer records due to being elected in 2018. However, their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have raised concerns about their commitment to liberty. Both governors implemented strict policies that infringed on individual freedoms, which may not align with libertarian principles.
Shapiro, with less time in office, has shown support for initiatives like eliminating college degree requirements for government jobs and reforming occupational licensing. While he faces criticism from the left for his stance on certain issues, his popularity in Pennsylvania makes him a likely choice for Harris. Despite some concerns about his foreign policy views, Shapiro may be a slightly better option for libertarians compared to the other candidates.
