Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Tim Walz as her running mate, making the Democratic ticket official as Harris and Walz head into the party convention later this month. Tim Walz, a popular two-term governor elected in 2018, has a background as a high school teacher and coach. He represented Minnesota in Congress for 12 years and served more than two decades in the Army National Guard. Harris and Walz will make their first joint appearance later today at a rally in Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state.
According to reports, we’re set to see Tim Walz on stage with Kamala Harris in just a few hours, following the formal unveiling from the campaign this morning in Philadelphia. Notably, another vice-presidential contender, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, will also be in attendance. Tim Walz is a popular two-term governor and has the kind of plain-spoken style that may have appealed to Harris. He represented a rural community in Minnesota, which is relatively rare for a Democrat, and he’s the current head of the Democratic Governors Association.
What’s Kamala Harris’s strategic goal behind this appointment?
One of Harris’s strategic goals is to secure the ‘blue wall’ states: Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. These are crucial for her presidential bid. Without Pennsylvania, Harris’s path to victory becomes significantly more challenging. Walz’s appeal in rural areas and his leadership credentials were significant factors in his selection.Â
Interestingly, this decision came down to the wire. As of late last night, Harris had not yet made her final choice. The campaign had prepared signs with various potential running mates’ names to be ready for any decision. This meticulous preparation mirrors Joe Biden’s approach in 2020.
What were Kamala Harris Criteria for Walz Selection?
The criteria for her choice included three key elements: competence, personal chemistry with her and her husband Doug Emhoff, and the ability to help secure key states. Minnesota isn’t a concern for Democrats, having not lost it since 1972, but neighboring states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania are vital.
Who is Tim Walz? What’s Tim Walz History?
A working-class politician from a rural background, Minnesota’s Tim Walz is known for not pulling punches. He grew up in small-town Nebraska and joined the National Guard as a teenager. Walz served more than two decades in the Guard, eventually becoming a high school teacher. After moving to Minnesota, he entered politics and was elected to Congress in 2006 in an upset victory. He served in Washington for 12 years as a moderate Democrat before being elected governor in 2018.
2020 would bring defining moments: the COVID-19 pandemic and the killing of George Floyd, which triggered riots and criticism over why it took Walz three days to call in the National Guard.
“Decisions were made and the situation is what it is. I simply believe we tried to do the best we can.” His critics also point to a state audit report that found major failures by Minnesota’s education department during the pandemic, allowing rampant misuse of a federal program meant to feed children. “If you commit fraud in Minnesota, you’re going to be caught and go to prison.”
Still, Walz has had strong union support. The president of the United Auto Workers says he is among the top choices for VP. “I had an appointment who thought this was a singer when we were going at it, and he said Governor Walz is in the pocket of organized labor. I said that is a lie, I am the pocket.”
Walz is also seen as an attack dog, not shy of going after former President Trump or his running mate Senator JD Vance. “They are running for the He-Man Woman Haters Club.” The outspoken six-term governor from the Midwest is set to join the historic national ticket.
They have done their homework quickly. We are seeing a reaction from the Trump campaign going after Tim Walz for essentially his record. The policies he put in place that he backed as a member of Congress and put in place as governor of Minnesota, linking him to what they call the Biden-Harris agenda on immigration, gun legislation, and climate. Describing the newly Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Tim Walz as her running mate, making the Democratic ticket official as Harris and Walz head into the party convention later this month. Tim Walz, a popular two-term governor elected in 2018, has a background as a high school teacher and coach. He represented Minnesota in Congress for 12 years and served more than two decades in the Army National Guard. Harris and Walz will make their first joint appearance later today at a rally in Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state.
Tim Walz is a popular two-term governor and has the kind of plain-spoken style that may have appealed to Harris. He represented a rural community in Minnesota, which is relatively rare for a Democrat, and he’s the current head of the Democratic Governors Association.
One of Harris’s strategic goals is to secure the ‘blue wall’ states: Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. These are crucial for her presidential bid. Without Pennsylvania, Harris’s path to victory becomes significantly more challenging. Walz’s appeal in rural areas and his leadership credentials were significant factors in his selection.Â
Interestingly, this decision came down to the wire. As of late last night, Harris had not yet made her final choice. The campaign had prepared signs with various potential running mates’ names to be ready for any decision. This meticulous preparation mirrors Joe Biden’s approach in 2020.
The criteria for her choice included three key elements: competence, personal chemistry with her and her husband Doug Emhoff, and the ability to help secure key states. Minnesota isn’t a concern for Democrats, having not lost it since 1972, but neighboring states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania are vital.
Harris’s selection of Walz aligns with her focus on unity and practical governance, appealing to both progressives and moderates. His rural roots and military background add a unique dimension to the ticket as they prepare to campaign in key battleground states.”
Keep in mind his policy record as Governor of Minnesota. He signed gun safety laws into place in 2023, as Gabe mentioned. On abortion rights, he signed a law that enshrined those in the state of Minnesota. He has been out front for universal free school lunch meals as well. These are some issues that progressives have liked from Tim Walz and that make him interesting. On the one hand, he has the backing of people like Bernie Sanders and the head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. On the other hand, you see some talk from those in the Midwest about his rural credentials, if you will, having grown up in Nebraska, and the way they believe he can connect with people like rural and exurban voters in some of those Rust Belt battleground states, as well as his background as a veteran, someone who can speak to that community and relate to that group of voters.Â
There is some consternation that you’re also seeing on the Republican side. Some of this may be trying to inject some chatter into the atmosphere there, the idea that Kamala Harris passed over Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania governor, a popular governor in that state, which is a critical battleground. Pennsylvania is a must-win for either side coming up in November. Shapiro outpolls President Biden in that state; he has done well in Pennsylvania. There is concern; he is more moderate. There was concern on the progressive side about Governor Shapiro. Although, again, he is someone who is expected to back the Harris ticket and be a part of campaigning for Harris.Â
When you look at those two states, Minnesota has not gone red since 1972. They have backed a Democrat in the presidential election for decades. It is not considered a traditional swing state, although you have seen Republicans in the last couple of elections, and maybe they will try to play there. Tim Walz is now the pick, as NBC News is reporting. We expect to see him and the Vice President later on tonight in Philly for what is a critical moment in the campaign.
What's Tim Walz's time in Congress?
This is certainly characteristic of Tim Walz’s career that will be beneficial to Kamala Harris. This is an individual who spent more than a decade as a member of the House of Representatives in the not-too-distant past. He left Congress in 2019. He has the added advantage of being an executive in a Midwestern state while at the same time understanding how Washington works. He has developed a number of relationships with congressional leadership on both sides of the aisle during his time in the House of Representatives.Â
It is also important to keep in mind that there is a history of presidential tickets including members of the House of Representatives. In fact, you have to go back to the 1940s to find a time where there was not at least one person on the ticket, either Republican or Democrat, who had spent some time in the House of Representatives. Tim Walz continues that streak by being added to Kamala Harris’s ticket as well.
How is Tim Walz with people?
He is someone who can get along with people, even people he disagrees with. That may be important to Kamala Harris as she looks for a governing partner in what her term could ultimately be if she is successful in November. There is a real possibility that there will be a divided government in Washington regardless of who wins the presidential race. There is a very tight contest in the House of Representatives; all 435 seats will be up. The Senate map favors Republicans versus Democrats. There is a possibility that Democrats may not control either house or may control just one house.Â
It will be beneficial for Kamala Harris, who did spend time in the Senate, but not that much time, to have someone like Tim Walz who understands how the legislative process works and what it will take to push through key agenda items that Kamala Harris and he care about. Walz is someone who has the benefit of having a lot of support among the progressive members of the Democratic Party. As Hallie points out, the chair of the Progressive Caucus and others are big supporters of Walz. At the same time, he has good relationships with members of the moderate wing of the party as well. He is the type of person that can bring both sides together when the Democratic Party is looking to unify at a key time. Someone who understands what is happening in the middle of America as a Midwestern governor, but someone who also understands the inner workings of Washington. Someone poised to be a very good governing partner for Kamala Harris, and that seems to be part of her calculation in selecting Tim Walz as a running mate.
There are a couple of ways that it aligns Democrats. This is someone who is very familiar to Democratic activists, the Democratic core. He will have to be introduced to the broader electorate within the party and outside of the party. Tim Walz is very experienced as a campaigner. I also think there is a little something else going on. Democrats are having difficulty because of President Biden and Vice President Harris’s position on Israel. They have had difficulty with Arab voters and Muslim voters, most notably in Michigan. Tim Walz is someone who has been elected in a state with a significant Muslim population that is very much behind him and appreciates his governorship. That is something that they might be able to tout as they go forward, someone who has that relationship as the Democrats try to bring back some of those voters.
What do we know about how voters feel about Tim Walz?
The answer is they don’t know yet. If you look at recent numbers out of ABC News, 87% of Americans just within the last week or so say they just don’t know enough about the Minnesota governor to be able to form an opinion. That is not altogether surprising. If you do not live in Minnesota and are not an avid reader of all Democratic Governors Association press releases, you might not know a lot about Tim Walz until recently when he burst into the national spotlight. Voters don’t know much about Tim Walz yet. That will have to change. His team will be getting his name ID out there, and we will be learning a lot more about him in the coming weeks and months. The national Democrats believe this is somebody who can help them win the election.
What does the Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul think about Tim Walz selection?
“I think it is a great pick. I know Governor Walz personally, and I think he brings that Midwestern background. He has a fascinating story, military service, and his rise through the ranks to be governor. I think Kamala Harris made a great pick.”
What's the reaction to Tim Walz joining Kamala Harris on the Democratic ticket?
From a strategic standpoint, this is a solid choice for Harris. Walz has executive experience and a record of legislative achievements that can appeal to both progressives and moderates. His background in the National Guard and his rural roots could help the ticket connect with voters in key battleground states.
Walz’s ability to bridge different factions within the Democratic Party is crucial. His selection signals a focus on unity and practical governance. The Harris-Walz ticket will likely emphasize policies that address economic inequality, healthcare, and climate change, which are central concerns for many voters.
The challenge will be introducing Walz to the broader electorate. With low name recognition outside of Minnesota, the campaign will need to effectively communicate his story and achievements. However, his appeal to both urban and rural voters could be a significant asset in the general election.
The Republican response has been swift, painting Walz as part of the so-called ‘Biden-Harris agenda.’ Expect the Trump campaign to focus on his record on issues like immigration and gun control. The Harris-Walz ticket will need to counter these attacks by highlighting their vision for America’s future.
As the campaign unfolds, we will continue to analyze the impact of Tim Walz’s addition to the Democratic ticket.
