Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, sources confirmed on Tuesday. This decision brings a progressive policy advocate and a straightforward speaker from America’s heartland into her campaign, aiming to win over rural, white voters.
The official announcement is expected on Tuesday morning, though campaign officials have not yet commented.
Tim Walz, 60, is a US Army National Guard veteran and former teacher. He was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 2006, representing a Republican-leaning district, and served for 12 years before becoming Minnesota’s governor in 2018.
As governor, Walz has promoted a progressive agenda, including free school meals, climate change initiatives, tax cuts for the middle class, and expanded paid leave for Minnesota workers. He has consistently supported women’s reproductive rights while also defending agricultural interests and gun rights, reflecting his conservative leanings in a rural district.
Kamala Harris, whose parents are immigrants from Jamaica and India, has added a well-liked Midwestern politician to her ticket. Walz’s home state of Minnesota reliably votes Democratic in presidential elections and is close to Wisconsin and Michigan, two key battleground states.
These states are crucial for the November 5 election. Walz is seen as effective at connecting with white, rural voters who have recently supported Republican Donald Trump, Harris’ opponent.
Harris chose Walz over Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, who was considered essential for securing his state’s crucial votes.
Harris became the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign last month. Since then, she has raised significant funds and energized her party’s base, redefining the race against Trump.
Harris and Walz are expected to appear together at an event in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening. The campaign hopes Walz’s National Guard service, successful run as a high school football coach, and popular “Dad joke” videos will appeal to voters who are undecided about supporting Trump for a second term.
Harris, 59, has revived the Democratic Party’s election hopes since Biden, 81, withdrew from the race under party pressure on July 21.
Walz was relatively unknown nationally until the Harris “veepstakes” gained attention, but his profile has since increased. He reportedly had the backing of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who played a key role in persuading Biden to exit the race.
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will face Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance, also a military veteran from the Midwest, in the November election.
Campaigning for Harris, sometimes in a camouflage baseball hat and T-shirt, Walz has labeled Trump and Vance as “weird,” a term that has gained traction with the Harris campaign, social media, and Democratic activists.
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