By JONATHAN J. COOPER, WILL WEISSERT and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
Vice President Kamala Harris will close out the Democratic National Convention when she accepts her party's historic presidential nomination. Harris will lay out her vision Thursday night for the country and prosecute her case against Republican Donald Trump, capping a whirlwind month that began when President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid and endorsed her to replace him atop the Democratic ticket. On Wednesday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted the vice presidential nomination and thanked the packed Chicago arena for "bringing the joy" to the election. Also speaking Thursday are Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, civil rights leader Al Sharpton and Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers.
The dates are set. The venues are chosen. The only thing missing from this week's campaign blitz with Vice President Kamala Harris and her 2024 running mate is the name of that running mate. After a weekend spent interviewing finalists, Harris is set to decide as early as Monday on her choice before the two set off on a tour across key battleground states where they will introduce the new Democratic ticket to voters and highlight the states of the election. That means there's not much time left for advocates for and against different picks to get in their final licks.
Nevada election officials verified enough signatures for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign to appear on the Nevada ballot, likely bringing his his insurgent quest to shake up the Republican and Democratic dominance of U.S. elections to a crucial battleground state. Kennedy Jr. has gained traction with a famous name and a loyal base, and he has the potential to do better than any independent presidential candidate in decades. Some strategists from both major parties fear he could tip the election against them. There still could be room for legal challenges for ballot access, including a Democratic-backed lawsuit challenging Kennedy Jr.'s ballot standing in Nevada.
