# 1984 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection

This article lists those who were potential candidates for the Democratic nomination for vice president of the United States in the 1984 election. Former Vice President Walter Mondale won the 1984 Democratic nomination for president of the United States, and chose New York Representative Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate. Ferraro was the first woman to be a part of a national ticket for a major party. Mondale chose Ferraro in hopes of energizing the base and winning the votes of women, but also because he viewed her as a solid legislator who had won the approval of Speaker Tip O'Neill. If elected, she would have been the first female vice president but the feat would later be accomplished by Kamala Harris in 2020. The Mondale–Ferraro ticket ultimately lost to the Reagan–Bush ticket. Until 2024, this was the last time the Democratic vice presidential nominee was neither the incumbent vice president nor a senator.

## Speculation

On December 10, 1983, the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus endorsed Mondale for president and Jesse Jackson for vice president.
George McGovern supported selecting Gary Hart as the vice presidential nominee.
Cecil Andrus, the co-chair of Mondale's presidential campaign, stated that he should pick a woman to serve as his running mate. He suggested Pat Schroeder, Geraldine Ferraro and Dianne Feinstein.

## Selection

John R. Reilly, an attorney and a senior adviser to Mondale, managed the search for a running mate. Mondale seriously considered Hart, but Mondale refused to consider a second rival, Jesse Jackson, on the grounds that the differences between their policies were too great.
Mondale conducted interviews with Feinstein and Lloyd Bentsen. The National Organization for Women demanded that a woman be selected.

### Finalists

* Mayor of Los Angeles Tom Bradley from California (1973–1993)
* Mayor of San Antonio Henry Cisneros from Texas (1981–1989)
* Mayor of San Francisco Dianne Feinstein from California (1978–1988)
* Representative Geraldine Ferraro from New York (1979–1985)
* Senator and 1984 presidential candidate Gary Hart from Colorado (1975–1987)

## Media speculation on possible vice presidential candidates

Members of Congress
* Senator and 1976 presidential candidate Lloyd Bentsen from Texas (1971–1993)
* Senator Joe Biden from Delaware (1973–2009)
* Senator Bill Bradley from New Jersey (1979–1997)
* Senator Dale Bumpers from Arkansas (1975–1999)
* Senator Chris Dodd from Connecticut (1981–2011)
* Senator and 1984 presidential candidate John Glenn from Ohio (1974–1999)
* Senator and 1984 presidential candidate Fritz Hollings from South Carolina (1966–2005)
* Senator Sam Nunn from Georgia (1972–1997)
Governors
* Governor Richard Celeste from Ohio (1983–1991)
* Governor Bill Clinton from Arkansas (1979–1981;1983–1992)
* Governor Mario Cuomo from New York (1983–1994)
* Governor Michael Dukakis from Massachusetts (1975–1979;1983–1991)
* Governor Bob Graham from Florida (1979–1987)
* Governor Mark White from Texas (1983–1987)
Other Individuals
* Mayor of Philadelphia Wilson Goode from Pennsylvania (1984–1992)
* Chairman of Chrysler Lee Iacocca from Michigan (1979–1992)