What is the stance of Kamala Harris' potential running mates on abortion access?

According to their statements and voting history, seven potential 2024 running mates of Vice President Kamala Harris support abortion.

Political analysts speculate that Harris may select one of several potential running mates for the 2024 election, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Ill., or Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

In recent months, seven individuals have publicly supported abortion access.

Eric Hyers, Beshear's political strategist, stated that the governor has governed as a pro-choice leader, citing his history of vetoing legislation restricting abortion access.

On Tuesday, Hyers informed Planet Chronicle Digital that Governor Beshear is pro-choice and believes that the decision to have an abortion should be made by a woman and her doctor.

Despite political opposition, Beshear allowed Planned Parenthood to open a second abortion clinic and maintained the operation of existing clinics during the pandemic.

Hyers stated that he has consistently displayed political courage and successfully connected with voters across the state on this issue, regardless of party affiliation.

Walz has also worked to create laws supporting abortion in Minnesota.

In April 2023, Walz signed the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act, which safeguards patients and providers traveling to Minnesota for abortion care from legal attacks and criminal penalties from other states.

On July 29, Walz extended his hand to Iowans following the state's six-week abortion ban on X, formerly Twitter.

""Minnesota values caring for our neighbors, and we will protect reproductive freedom," Walz stated."

Shapiro's team confirmed his support for abortion and birth control access, citing his previous statements on the matter. Planet Chronicle Digital contacted Shapiro's team for confirmation.

"As long as I am your Governor, abortion will remain safe, legal, and accessible in Pennsylvania," Shapiro stated on May 10. "Abortion is healthcare, and healthcare decisions should be made by women and their doctors, not extremist politicians."

Shapiro has been vocal in opposing the state's prohibition on Medicaid-funded abortion services, joining 21 other governors in advocating for the Supreme Court to maintain medication abortion access, and establishing a website for Pennsylvanians to locate abortion providers, as stated in a press release shared with Planet Chronicle Digital.

"As long as I am your Governor, we will defend access to reproductive health care in Pennsylvania. We will ensure that abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible, and make it clear to insurers that it is best practice to cover over-the-counter birth control. Our focus is on advancing reproductive freedom."

During a recent "White Dudes for Harris" virtual campaign event, Buttigieg stated that access to abortion provides more freedom to American men, as reported by Planet Chronicle Digital.

"I'm glad [Harris] has made freedom the focus of her campaign because I believe it's crucial. Women's freedom is a prime example, as Trump's actions have taken away the right to choose. However, men also benefit from a president who stands up for things like access to abortion care."

"When the leaders of the free world and this country support access to birth control and IVF, men feel more free," he stated.

In April, Kelly opposed the Arizona Supreme Court's decision to reinstate the 1864 total abortion ban.

"This decision, which Kelly stated on his website, will set women's rights in Arizona back two centuries and mean that women have lost the right to an abortion. It will criminalize doctors for doing their jobs and providing the most appropriate care to patients, which will have a devastating effect on the health and freedom of Arizona women and families. This law, which was written 160 years ago, will be reinstated due to politicians who worked to overturn Roe v. Wade and its protections for abortion rights. I understand that this is a difficult day for many Arizonans, and I will continue to fight as hard as ever to restore reproductive rights so that women can make these decisions for themselves."

According to WTTW, Pritzker has the backing of several abortion access organizations in an attempt to increase his chances of being selected as Harris' vice presidential running mate.

On Monday, he signed the Birth Equity Act, which mandates state-funded insurance to cover abortion care without any out-of-pocket costs, including medications, and also provides coverage for birth services such as doulas, diapers, lactation specialists, and midwives.

In a July 22 X post, Raimondo expressed strong support for Harris's efforts to safeguard reproductive rights.

The Trump-Vance ticket is being supported by some pro-life groups following the overturning of Roe v. Wade after Trump appointed Supreme Court justices.

The CatholicVote President Brian Burch stated that the organization will assist the Trump-Vance ticket in winning the election in November, while also educating them about the risks of abortion drugs.

"Vance articulated a vision that prioritizes American workers, families, and children, emphasizing the need to put the interests of Americans first while pushing back against the elitist corporate and political class that seeks to undermine our common moral and religious way of life."

The offices of Walz, Buttigieg, Kelly, Pritzker, and Raimondo were contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital, but no additional comment was provided.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Aubrie Spady and Brianna Herlihy contributed to this report.