Kamala Harris selects Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate for the 2024 election. Walz, known for his progressive legislative achievements and appeal to rural voters, strengthens Harris's campaign against the Republican ticket of Donald Trump and Ohio senator JD Vance.
In a significant move ahead of the November election, Kamala Harris, the de facto Democratic nominee for US president, has named Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, as her running mate. This decision puts an end to speculation about Harris’s choice for vice president, positioning Walz against Donald Trump’s pick, Ohio senator JD Vance.
Walz, who first entered politics in 2006 by winning a seat in a Republican-leaning congressional district, has since become a prominent figure. He won the Minnesota governorship in 2018 and secured re-election in 2022. Under his leadership, Minnesota has achieved several progressive legislative victories, including universal meals, legalized marijuana, abortion protections, and gun control measures.
Before his political career, Walz was a high school geography teacher in Mankato, Minnesota, and served in the Army National Guard for 24 years. His selection as Harris’s running mate was confirmed by CBS News, with Walz emerging as a favorite for his appeal to rural and working-class voters in crucial Midwestern states.
The Harris-Walz ticket is expected to be formally endorsed at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from August 19 to 22. Harris’s campaign vetted numerous potential running mates before settling on Walz, who has garnered support from pro-labor groups and the party’s progressive wing.
Walz's tenure as governor has been marked by significant legislative achievements, but he has also faced criticism, particularly for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the response to the protests following George Floyd’s murder in 2020. Despite this, his track record and appeal to key voter demographics make him a strategic choice for Harris.
The official announcement of Walz as Harris’s running mate is set for later on Tuesday, with the duo planning to appear together at a campaign event in Philadelphia.
