Report: Hillary Clinton to Announce Running Mate Before Tampa Rally

TAMPA BAY, FL – Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton could announce her selection for a vice presidential running mate before Friday afternoon's event in Tampa.

Anticipation has been high that she would make the announcement during a two-day trip in Florida. NBC's Andrea Mitchell is reporting the news will come by text to campaign supporters before the Tampa event at 4:30 p.m.

On the short list: U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia; Tom Vilsack, agriculture secretary; Thomas Perez, secretary of labor; and James Stravidis, a retired four-star Navy admiral. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey also is getting a close look from the Clinton camp.

"Hillary is making a very important announcement at this rally," organizers of Hillary For Tampa - St Petersburg FL wrote on their Facebook page.

The event will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Entertainment Hall at 4800 US 301 in Tampa. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. RSVPs can be made here.

Prior to the Tampa rally, Clinton will be in Orlando, at Holden Heights Community Center, for a roundtable session not open to the public.

After Tampa, Clinton will proceed on Saturday, July 23, to a noontime event at Florida International University in Miami. Those interested can RSVP here.

The Florida stops come just days before the Democratic National Convention commences in Philadelphia.

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--Patch file photo