Kelly, Shapiro remain at top of betting odds for Harris' VP pick, Walz makes gains
As the clock on the 2024 presidential race ticks past 100 days until Nov. 5, one major question looms over presumptive Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign: who will be her running mate?
The betting market, which U.S. bookmakers cannot take part in, has kept two favorites at the top of the odds as other options have jockeyed up the ranks.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is a split favorite with Arizona Senator Mark Kelly at the books USA TODAY has regularly surveyed.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has charged up bookmaker's boards, starting the race at +3500 at U.K. bookmaker Bet365 last Tuesday and standing at +500 Monday.
Betting experts told USA TODAY that the odds at a given time represent a snapshot of how punters are feeling and that events will move the lines before Harris announces her pick.
"(The market) fluctuates almost hourly, especially with something like the vice-presidential candidate, as it is based off of one news story or maybe even a rumor," Ryan Butler, senior news analyst at betting site Covers.com told USA TODAY in an interview.
Butler said that bettors in Europe approach their decisions at the betting window with the eye of a casual observer, especially in the vice-presidential nomination market.
"You're not seeing a whole lot of very informed, sharp bets. It's just a lot of people who want to throw some money behind it and have something to look at," Butler said.
Democratic vice-presidential nomination betting market moves
Democratic vice-presidential nominee betting odds (as of July 29)
Bet 365
Josh Shapiro: +137
Mark Kelly: +162
Tim Walz: +500
Roy Cooper: +1400
Andrew Beshear: +1800
Pete Buttigieg: +2000
Via Covers.com
Bovada
Josh Shapiro: +155
Mark Kelly: +155
Tim Walz: +450
Pete Buttigieg: +1800
Roy Cooper: +2000
Andrew Beshear: +2500
BetOnline
Mark Kelly: +140
Josh Shapiro: +150
Tim Walz: +400
Roy Cooper: +2200
Andrew Beshear: +2800
Pete Buttigieg: +2800
Oddschecker
Mark Kelly: +175
Josh Shapiro: +178
Tim Walz: +600
Roy Cooper: +2100
Pete Buttigieg: +2600
Andrew Beshear: +2900
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Latest betting odds for Harris' Vice President: Kelly, Shapiro on top