Harris Chooses Minnesota’s Walz as Democratic VP Pick

Vice President Kamala Harris has announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election.

Harris, who replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee last month, confirmed the selection through a post on X. “As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he’s delivered for working families like his,” she wrote.

The Harris-Walz duo will attend a campaign rally in Philadelphia later today.

Walz emerged as a top contender in recent days, edging out Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for the position. Although Walz initially refrained from urging Biden to step aside, he has recently become one of Harris’s most vocal supporters, criticizing Trump and his running mate Ohio Senator JD Vance. His remark labeling the Republican duo as “weird guys” has resonated with Democrats.

Walz brings a working-class Midwestern background that contrasts with Harris’s career as a California prosecutor. A 24-year Army National Guard veteran, Walz taught high school geography and coached football before winning a congressional seat in 2006.

In Congress, Walz was mostly aligned with Democratic positions but diverged on gun rights and agriculture. He backed legislation allowing firearms in national parks and endorsed the Supreme Court case District of Columbia v. Heller, earning an ‘A’ rating from the NRA in 2010. As governor, however, he has embraced progressive policies, enacting laws to protect abortion rights and LGBTQ individuals. Walz has also endorsed stricter gun control measures.

Democratic lawmakers celebrated Walz’s selection on social media. New York Representative Jamaal Bowman, a former school principal, enthusiastically endorsed the move, while Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar highlighted Walz’s achievements such as universal school meals and marijuana legalization.

Conversely, Republicans criticized the decision, referencing Walz’s leadership during the 2020 riots in Minnesota. New York Representative Elise Stefanik called the Harris-Walz ticket “the most radical far left-wing ticket in history,” while Texas Representative Ronny Jackson labeled Walz a “radical.”

Despite predictions that Harris might choose another prominent Democratic figure as her running mate, Walz prevailed over contenders like Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Shapiro, previously considered a favorite, faced scrutiny over his stance on Israel’s war in Gaza and responses to pro-Palestine protests, diminishing his prospects.

Harris and Walz will be officially confirmed as the Democratic challengers to Trump and Vance at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago later this month.