Kamala Harris picked Tim Walz as her running mate Tuesday, opting for the Minnesota governor as the partner most likely to complement her in a historic — and bruising — bid for the White House.
Harris announced this on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
Walz, a 60-year-old U.S. Army National Guard veteran and former teacher, began his political career by winning a seat in a Republican-leaning district of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006. He served there for 12 years before being elected governor of Minnesota in 2018.
As governor, Walz has championed a progressive agenda that includes free school meals, climate change initiatives, tax cuts for the middle class, and expanded paid leave for Minnesota workers.
While Walz has long supported women’s reproductive rights, he also maintained a conservative stance on agricultural issues and gun rights during his time in Congress representing a rural district.
Harris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, has now added Walz to her ticket. Walz hails from a Midwestern state that consistently supports Democrats in presidential elections but is adjacent to key battlegrounds like Wisconsin and Michigan. These states are crucial for the upcoming election, and Walz is recognized for his ability to connect with white, rural voters who have recently leaned towards Donald Trump, Harris’ rival.
The Harris campaign hopes that Walz’s extensive National Guard service, his successful tenure as a high school football coach, and his viral Dad joke videos will appeal to undecided voters who might be disillusioned with another Trump term, according to Reuters.
Since being chosen as Harris’ running mate after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race on July 21, Walz has gained national attention. His popularity in Congress and the backing of influential figures like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who played a role in Biden’s decision, have bolstered his profile.
Walz and Harris will face off against Trump and his running mate JD Vance, another Midwest military veteran, in the November 5 election.
In his campaign efforts for Harris, Walz has used a distinctive approach, sometimes donning a camouflage baseball hat and T-shirt. He has labeled Trump and Vance as “weird,” a memorable jab that has resonated with the Harris campaign, social media, and Democratic supporters.