Vice President Kamala Harris has announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the upcoming presidential election. Walz, a seasoned Midwestern leader with a military background and strong union ties, has made significant strides in Minnesota by advocating for progressive policies, such as robust abortion rights and family support initiatives.
This choice is designed to enhance Harris’s appeal in the upper Midwest, a region critical for Democrats, especially given the previous challenges from Donald Trump’s surprising wins in Michigan and Wisconsin in 2016. Although Trump lost these states in 2020, he is targeting them once again, including Minnesota, in his quest to return to the presidency.
Walz joins Harris during a particularly volatile time in American politics, following the attempted assassination of Trump in July and President Joe Biden’s decision to end his reelection campaign. These events have created an urgent need for Harris to unify the Democratic Party and quickly select a running mate.
The selection process included nearly a dozen candidates, mostly white men, before Harris settled on Walz, valuing his low-key demeanor and proven dedication to Democratic causes.
Kamala Harris
Walz, who has been an outspoken supporter of Harris, has publicly criticized the Republican opposition, calling them “weird” in a recent interview. This rhetoric has resonated with Democrats, who have amplified this message. During a fundraiser in Minneapolis, Walz reiterated his stance, stating that his comments were merely observational rather than derogatory.
Walz’s background includes growing up in Nebraska, working as a social studies teacher and football coach, and serving 24 years in the Army National Guard, where he achieved the rank of command sergeant major. His political career began with his election to Congress in 2006, representing a rural southern Minnesota district.
As governor, Walz ran on a “One Minnesota” platform and won decisively in 2018. His tenure has seen him navigating a divided legislature and leading the state through the COVID-19 pandemic, which required emergency powers and led to tensions with Republicans.
Reelected in 2022, Walz has led a productive legislative session with a Democratic-controlled House and Senate, securing significant policy wins. These include expansive abortion rights, trans rights protections, tax credits for families, universal free school meals, paid family and medical leave, and the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Despite Republican criticisms over the handling of a substantial budget surplus and oversight issues during the pandemic, Walz’s administration has been recognized for its achievements in progressive governance.
Walz’s response to the George Floyd unrest in 2020 remains a contentious issue. While he ordered the National Guard deployment to address the violence, there were accusations of delayed action and inter-governmental finger-pointing.
Despite these challenges, Walz has been a prominent surrogate for the Biden-Harris administration, often appearing on national television to support their policies and playing a key role in Democratic conventions and meetings.
By selecting Walz, Harris aims to solidify Democratic support in Minnesota and the broader Midwest. This move could prove vital for the Democratic ticket, as no Republican has won statewide in Minnesota since 2006.
With Trump narrowly losing the state in 2016 but Biden winning it more comfortably in 2020, Harris and Walz hope to maintain this momentum and counter Trump’s renewed efforts to claim Minnesota’s electoral votes. The state, which has previously produced two vice presidents, now presents a significant opportunity for the Harris-Walz ticket in the upcoming election.
