Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Democratic super PAC to hit Trump in battleground states over coronavirus deaths Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight MORE has chosen Sen. Tim Kaine Timothy (Tim) Michael KaineNames to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court Barrett seen as a front-runner for Trump Supreme Court pick Biden promises Democratic senators help in battleground states MORE (D-Va.) to be her running mate.

The announcement, made to supporters via text message and Twitter Friday evening, came after an exhaustive weeks-long vetting process by Clinton and several of her top advisers. Kaine is expected to campaign alongside Clinton in Miami on Saturday afternoon.

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Clinton called Kaine Friday evening to ask him to be her running mate, a source said. Kaine — who had spent the day at a couple of fundraisers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island — immediately accepted. She also called the finalists on her shortlist. Clinton also phoned President Obama to inform him of the decision, sources say.

"Tim is a lifelong fighter for progressive causes and one of the most qualified vice presidential candidates in our nation's history," Clinton said in an email to supporters on Friday evening. "He's a man of relentless optimism who believes no problem is unsolvable if you're willing to put in the work."

Kaine, a former Democratic National Committee chairman, was long considered a top contender on Clinton’s VP shortlist and appeared on the campaign trail with her in his home state last week. The governor-turned-senator was a favorite among Clinton's innermost circle — including Bill Clinton — who told advisers in recent days that he supported the pick. He also got strong support from Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and top Clinton advisers, sources say.

The selection process began after the New York primary in April. Podesta visited Clinton's home in Chappaqua, N.Y., and brought her binders with info on more than two dozen candidates, the senior campaign aide said, adding that the mission was so covert, he handed the binders to Clinton in a Duane Reade shopping bag.

Clinton insiders say Kaine was selected foremost because he has the qualifications necessary for the job, particularly when it comes to national security experience. Clinton wanted someone with a thick national security portfolio, and Kaine holds seats on the Senate Armed Services and Senate Foreign Relations committees.

"Sen. Kaine was one of the first public officials to announce a public endorsement of Sen. Obama," Earnest said at the briefing. "Sen. Kaine served as the chair of the DNC during President Obama's first year in office and Sen. Kaine is somebody that the president deeply respects."



But some worry that his stance on abortion and past support of restrictions, like a late-term abortion ban, could hurt the Democratic ticket among some of the party’s base.



Clinton’s decision comes just days before the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Philadelphia, where she will be officially nominated.