[1] Kerry selected North Carolina Senator John Edwards as his running mate on July 6, 2004.

The vice presidential selection process was led by James Johnson, former chief executive officer of Fannie Mae and Chairman of Walter Mondale's 1984 Presidential Campaign.

Kerry, who had been considered by Al Gore in 2000 as a potential running mate, sought to ensure that the selection process was discreet.

To evade reporters, Kerry interviewed Edwards at former Secretary of State Madeline Albright's home in Washington D.C.[3][4] Alyssa Mastromonaco, who would later serve as White House Deputy Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama, organized Kerry's meetings with the candidates.

Pundits and those close to the Kerry campaign indicated that candidates narrowed to five potential choices.