Walz shortens Shapiro's betting odds as Kamala Harris' vice-presidential pick nears

Walz shortens Shapiro’s betting odds as Kamala Harris’ vice-presidential pick nears

Admin August 4, 2024

Update: This story has been updated to reflect the odds as of August 5.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have cleared the betting field in the race to be the Democratic vice-presidential nominee going into the likely final day of the Veep-stakes.

Shapiro has been at the top of the oddsmakers’ boards since Vice President Kamala Harris assumed the presumptive presidential nomination from the party after President Joe Biden dropped out.

Shapiro was the clear betting favorite Wednesday but some members of the progressive wing of the party pushed Harris to consider other choices. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been the betting benefactor of that push going from +1400 at U.K. bookmaker Bet365 on Thursday to +275 on Sunday and landing at +200 Monday.

The Vice President met with Shapiro, Walz and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly at the vice president’s residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington Sunday.

Shapiro stood at +120 at Bet365 on Tuesday, -260 (meaning a bettor would need to wager $260 to win $100) on Wednesday, -400 Saturday, -160 Sunday and standing at -275 Monday.

The betting market, which U.S. bookmakers cannot take part in, is not insignificant as just under $1.15 million dollars in bets have been placed at U.K. bookmaker Betfair Exchange.

USA TODAY reported Wednesday that Harris will tour battleground states with her vice-presidential pick next week and that she intends to announce the choice before Wednesday, Aug. 7.