Recent polling indicates that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), newly chosen as Vice President Harris’s running mate, is viewed more favorably than Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), who was selected by former President Trump. The ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey revealed that 39 percent of respondents hold a “strongly” or “somewhat” positive opinion of Walz, while 32 percent feel similarly about Vance.
In terms of negative perceptions, 30 percent of those surveyed view Walz unfavorably, whereas 42 percent have a “strongly” or “somewhat” negative view of Vance. This contrasts with Walz’s relatively more favorable ratings compared to his counterpart on the Republican side.
Walz’s selection came in the midst of internal Democratic party debates about President Biden’s position on the ticket. Following Biden’s withdrawal from the race in July and his endorsement of Harris, Walz’s nomination was a remarkable development. Meanwhile, Vance has targeted Walz’s military service in recent criticisms, which Walz has defended vigorously, expressing pride in his service.
The same poll shows that 52 percent of respondents support Walz’s nomination as Harris’s running mate, reflecting a positive reception of this choice. Conversely, 45 percent of those surveyed are in favor of Vance’s addition to the Trump ticket, demonstrating a slightly lower level of agreement with the Republican selection.