Vice President Kamala Harris has officially chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the upcoming November election, where they will face off against former President Donald Trump. Harris made the announcement on Tuesday, both through an Instagram post and a text message to her supporters, highlighting Walz’s commitment to middle-class families and his diverse background, which includes service in the National Guard and experience as a teacher.
Harris praised Walz in her Instagram post, emphasizing his strong background and how it has shaped his political career. She wrote, “I share this background both because it’s impressive in its own right, and because you see in no uncertain terms how it informs his record.” Harris was particularly struck by Walz’s dedication to his family, naming his wife Gwen and their children, Gus and Hope. “But what impressed me most about Tim is his deep commitment to his family: Gwen, Gus, and Hope,” she noted. Harris also mentioned her husband, Doug Emhoff, expressing their eagerness to collaborate with Walz and his family in building an administration that reflects shared values. “Doug and I look forward to working with him and Gwen to build an administration that reflects our shared values.”
The vice president also shared her excitement about the upcoming campaign, stating, “We are going to build a great partnership. We are going to build a great team. We are going to win this election.”
Walz, who is 60 years old, was not initially seen as a frontrunner for the vice-presidential spot. The early stages of the selection process were dominated by speculation around more prominent figures like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. However, Walz’s standing improved significantly over the past week, especially after a viral cable news interview where he criticized some Republicans as “weird.” This comment resonated with national Democrats, who soon adopted this line of criticism.
The selection of Walz comes after a rapid and intense two-week period that began with President Joe Biden announcing the end of his reelection bid. Harris quickly consolidated support within the Democratic Party, becoming the presumptive nominee, and her team moved swiftly to vet potential running mates.
The choice of Walz has been met with approval from both progressive and moderate Democrats. Progressive leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York expressed her approval on social media, stating, “Vice President Harris made an excellent decision in Gov. Walz as her running mate. Together, they will govern effectively, inclusively, and boldly for the American people. They won’t back down under tight odds, either – from healthcare to school lunch.” This sentiment was echoed by Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, who was the first House Democrat to suggest that Biden should not seek reelection. Doggett described Walz as a “solid, decent former colleague with good humor, a former teacher and veteran, who represented a Minnesota district usually represented by the GOP.” He further added, “You can’t not get along with no-nonsense Tim. As Governor, he offers a straight-talking, compassionate leader delivering the progress we need.”
Harris took her time finalizing her decision on a running mate, with reports indicating that she had not made up her mind until late Monday night, only hours before the announcement. Walz was ultimately seen as a safe choice, especially when compared to other potential candidates who had faced criticism from various factions within the Democratic Party. Shapiro, for example, had been under scrutiny for his handling of pro-Palestinian protests following the Israel-Hamas war, and both he and Kelly had drawn criticism from union leaders.
Another factor that made Walz an appealing choice is his Midwestern roots. Trump has increasingly focused on flipping Midwestern states like Minnesota, a state that Biden won by seven points in 2020. Although no Republican has won Minnesota in a presidential election for more than 50 years, Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, have intensified their efforts to campaign in the state.
However, Walz is not without potential weaknesses. Republicans are expected to use his stances on issues like abortion and LGBTQ rights to portray him as a radical liberal, a tactic they have previously used against Harris. Walz’s tenure as governor during the riots that erupted after George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis will likely be a focal point of Republican attacks. The Trump campaign has already linked Harris to the unrest, criticizing her for supporting a bail fund for protesters arrested during the unrest in Minnesota.
Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement attacking the Harris-Walz ticket, saying, “It’s no surprise that San Francisco Liberal Kamala Harris wants West Coast wannabe Tim Walz as her running-mate – Walz has spent his governorship trying to reshape Minnesota in the image of the Golden State.” Leavitt went on to criticize Walz’s policies, including his support for a carbon-free agenda, stricter emission standards for gas-powered cars, and voting rights for convicted felons. “From proposing his own carbon-free agenda, to suggesting stricter emission standards for gas-powered cars, and embracing policies to allow convicted felons to vote, Walz is obsessed with spreading California’s dangerously liberal agenda far and wide,” she said. Leavitt also warned voters about the Harris-Walz ticket, saying, “If Walz won’t tell voters the truth, we will: just like Kamala Harris, Tim Walz is a dangerously liberal extremist, and the Harris-Walz California dream is every American’s nightmare.”
Despite the criticism, Harris and Walz are moving forward with their campaign, with plans to visit several battleground states this week. Their first stop is in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening, followed by visits to Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada. Scheduled trips to North Carolina and Georgia have been postponed due to the impact of Hurricane Debby in the Southeast.
The Harris-Walz campaign is expected to be a closely watched race as they prepare to challenge Trump and Vance in what promises to be a highly contested election.