Six months ago, Vice President Kamala Harris made a historic visit to a Minnesota abortion clinic, marking the first time a president or vice president had done so. This visit was significant not only because of its rarity but also because it allowed Harris to connect with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, whose focus on reproductive health aligned with her own advocacy during her time in the White House.
The connection forged during this visit would later prove important as Harris considered potential partners for a presidential ticket.
Governor Tim Walz, while perhaps not the most expected figure to champion abortion and pregnancy issues, emerged as a strong ally for Harris. Despite his seemingly conventional political profile, Walz has a personal connection to reproductive health, having supported increased abortion access in Minnesota and sharing his family’s own struggles with infertility.
His ability to speak openly about these issues, particularly the birth of his daughter through in vitro fertilization (IVF), has resonated with many.
Tim Walz
Walz’s story has already had a significant impact as he shared it with crowds in key swing states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. He spoke about the seven years of fertility treatments his wife, Gwen, endured before the birth of their daughter, Hope, highlighting the personal stakes involved in reproductive health debates.
This personal narrative has helped him connect with voters on a deeply emotional level, particularly as he discusses the implications of potential restrictions on IVF and other fertility treatments.
Walz officially joined Harris as her vice-presidential pick, energizing the Democratic base with his passionate speeches, including one in Philadelphia where he strongly defended reproductive rights and warned Republicans against imposing their beliefs on others.
His emphasis on the personal nature of issues like IVF, coupled with his own experiences, has made him a compelling advocate for maintaining access to reproductive health services, including birth control and fertility treatments.
The selection of Walz as Harris’s running mate has drawn both praise and criticism. While abortion rights groups have lauded the choice, some conservatives have criticized the reproductive rights law Walz signed in Minnesota as too permissive.
Nonetheless, with polls showing strong public support for protecting IVF access, the pairing of Harris and Walz represents a concerted effort by the Democrats to appeal to voters concerned about reproductive rights, especially in light of recent legal challenges and the shifting landscape of abortion laws in the United States.
