...
By Jesus Mesa
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Kamala Harris has chosen Tim Walz, the folksy governor of Minnesota, to be her running mate, as the Democrats look to build on Harris' razor-thin lead over former President Donald Trump with just over three months until the November election.
Walz made the news official in a social media post Tuesday morning after CNN first reported it, with the pair set for their first campaign rally in Philadelphia later in the afternoon.
Read More on U.S.
Walz, 60, now in his second term as governor, has gained recognition for his progressive policies while also maintaining an ability to appeal to rural voters in conservative strongholds. His selection suggests Harris aims to compete in both the Rust and Sun Belt states that appeared to have fallen out of grasp when Joe Biden was on top of the ticket.
But Walz's national profile started to rise only recently, after he became the first Democrat to publicly label Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, as "weird"—a narrative that went viral and has since been seized upon by Democrats.
...
As a vice-presidential candidate, Tim Walz was something of a dark horse. Though his name had only started to surface in recent weeks as a potential contender, he wasn't typically seen as one of the frontrunners — especially given that Minnesota is a relatively solid blue state.
Josh Shapiro, from the must-win commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was widely considered the favorite. He put out a statement Tuesday saying he looks forward to campaigning for the Harris-Walz ticket across his state.
Walz brings with him a unique national political resume: He was a non-commissioned Army officer, public school teacher, and state high school championship football coach before entering politics. As a congressman, he represented Minnesota's 1st Congressional District—a rural district outside Minneapolis that's long been a GOP bastion—and was re-elected five more times.
Demonstrating an ability to appeal to voters across the political spectrum, the Minnesota governor is seen by many as an attractive option for independents and moderate Democrats. He embodies the persona of a working-class politician with a rural background, potentially resonating with voters in key battleground states in the Midwest, and serving as a counterweight to Vance's midwestern roots.
However, his progressive stances on issues like transgender care for minors could also alienate some of those same voters.
In a recent op-ed for Newsweek, former Representative Tim Ryan, an Ohio Democrat, made a case for Walz as Harris' running mate. Ryan emphasized the importance of selecting a candidate who can connect with working-class voters, particularly in the Rust Belt, and highlighted Walz's understanding of issues critical to Midwestern voters, such as job creation, healthcare and education.
Some analysts see Walz's popularity among progressives as key to activating the party's big-tent base, especially given its misgivings over the Biden administration's support of Israel in Gaza.
"They are wary of Harris for several reasons, and Walz would help reassure them that she is listening to their concerns,' Ryan Dawkins, assistant professor of political science at Carleton College in Minnesota, told Newsweek.
Walz's political journey began in 2006 when he defeated a longtime Republican member of Congress in a largely rural district, a feat that has become increasingly rare in recent years. During his time in Washington, he was one of the last white Democrats in Congress to represent a mostly rural, small-town House district—a notable juxtaposition to Harris, the Bay Area Californian who came of political age in deep-blue San Francisco.
Walz's political career includes significant achievements in education, healthcare and veterans' affairs. His administration has tackled issues such as opioid addiction, affordable housing and climate change, establishing Minnesota as a model of progressive governance in the Midwest.
...
Walz has faced criticism from Minnesota Republicans, particularly over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the riots following George Floyd's death that set fire to swaths of Minneapolis, and actions to protect transgender care—a topic central to GOP campaigns.
Harris and Walz will launch an aggressive, seven-state battleground tour beginning in Philadelphia on Tuesday and winding through Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. Her early rallies have attracted enthusiastic crowds. Campaign officials say each stop will feature local election officials, religious leaders, union members, and more intended to showcase the diversity of her coalition.
Update 8/6/24 10:30 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with more information throughout.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines