Hillary Clinton is still battling Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont for the Democratic presidential nomination, but her campaign team has already started thinking about the qualities that would make a good running mate. Here are some likely contenders — according to allies and advisers of the Clintons and prominent Democrats — and a look at their strengths and weaknesses.
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Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio. Credit Doug Mills/The New York Times
Sherrod Brown
Who he is: Senator from Ohio since 2007. What he could bring to the ticket: As Ohio goes, so goes the presidency, and Mr. Brown could help secure the Buckeye State. He also has strong populist appeal and has been a vocal opponent of the Obama administration’s trade agenda, potentially insulating Mrs. Clinton on the issue. And the United States may be ready for a vice-presidential pick whose spouse is a Pulitzer-Prize winning columnist. Why he might not be the best choice: If he becomes vice president, a Republican governor would fill Mr. Brown’s Senate seat, potentially damaging the Democrats in Congress. At 63, Mr. Brown is on the older side, and he is not exactly a national household name.
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Julián Castro. Credit Doug Mills/The New York Times
Julián Castro
Who he is: The federal housing secretary and former mayor of San Antonio. What he could bring to the ticket:A powerful and telegenic speechmaker, he is one of the Democratic Party’s most high-profile Hispanics, in a race in which Hispanic voters will be a key part of the electorate in the fall. Though Mrs. Clinton is popular with many of them, she could face competition if a Hispanic like Senator Ted Cruz or Senator Marco Rubio is on the Republican ticket. Why he might not be the best choice: At 41, Mr. Castro is young, often comes across that way, has relatively limited experience, and has few accomplishments outside of politics and government. Many Democrats think he will be on a ticket someday, but needs more seasoning.
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Senator Tim Kaine. Credit Andrew Harnik/Associated Press
Tim Kaine
Who he is:Senator from Virginia since 2013 and former governor. What he could bring to the ticket: A popular senator in a critical swing state, Mr. Kaine could help drive up the Hispanic vote with his fluency in Spanish, and temper suggestions that Mrs. Clinton is too hawkish thanks to his push to constrain presidential authority to use military force. And he plays the harmonica, potentially balancing Mrs. Clinton’s lack of musical ability. Why he might not be the best choice: Mr. Kaine might be too moderate for the activist base, and a white man does not bring much “wow” factor for Democrats these days. He might also be too obvious a pick to make a splash, and his support for trade deals could hurt the ticket, as well.
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Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. Credit Susan Walsh/Associated Press
Amy Klobuchar
Who she is:Senator from Minnesota since 2007. What she could bring to the ticket:An all-female ticket could supercharge the women’s vote and would be seen as a powerful statement. Tapping her would not mean losing a Senate seat in a Republican state, and she is known to have a sense of humor. Why she might not be the best choice: Ms. Klobuchar comes from a state that Democrats are likely to win anyway, and she lacks national name recognition.
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Deval Patrick. Credit Charles Krupa/Associated Press
Deval Patrick
Who he is: Governor of Massachusetts from 2007 to 2015. What he could bring to the ticket:An African-American with strong executive experience, Mr. Patrick would bring diversity to the ticket and help drive support from minority voters. He also has close ties to the business world and an inspiring personal story of growing up in poverty in Chicago. Why he might not be the best choice: Mr. Patrick would not help deliver a swing state, and could easily be tarred as another Massachusetts liberal. More problematic is the fact that in 2015 he became a partner at Bain Capital, the much-criticized private equity firm founded by Mitt Romney.
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Thomas E. Perez. Credit Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Thomas E. Perez
Who he is:Secretary of labor since 2013. What he could bring to the ticket: The son of Dominican immigrants, Mr. Perez could help with Hispanic voters and Catholics. He is viewed as intelligent and is well liked. Why he might not be the best choice: The Labor Department is not a high-profile post, and he lacks name recognition, national political experience and the ability to help carry a swing state.
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Senator Mark Warner of Virginia. Credit Susan Walsh/Associated Press
Mark Warner
Who he is:Senator from Virginia since 2009 and former governor. What he could bring to the ticket:Mr. Warner also offers a strong footing in a key state while bringing legislative, executive and business experience. He is also well liked by progressive activists. Why he might not be the best choice: As the wealthiest member of the Senate, Mr. Warner could be painted as out of touch. He also brings no racial diversity to the ticket, and his previous support of trade deals could turn off some supporters of Mr. Sanders.
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Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts in 2015. Credit Zach Gibson/The New York Times
Elizabeth Warren
Who she is: Senator from Massachusetts since 2013. What she could bring to the ticket:Ms. Warren is a superstar among the progressive left who would instantly unify the party and excite disappointed supporters of Senator Bernie Sanders. She is an able surrogate and debater, and could help address suggestions that Mrs. Clinton is soft on Wall Street. Why she might not be the best choice: The two women appear to lack chemistry, and Ms. Warren could bring the ticket too far to the left, alienating moderate male Democrats. And Donald J. Trump has already shown a willingness to attack her for her claims about her Native American heritage
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