Walz Champions Labor Union Bonds in Debut Solo Speech as VP Candidate

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made his inaugural solo campaign appearance as the Democratic vice presidential candidate on Tuesday. Speaking to a union audience in Los Angeles, he emphasized that the Democratic ticket, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, would focus on worker-friendly policies.

Walz tailored most of his 20-minute address to members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a vast union representing over 1.4 million public-sector workers. Drawing from his personal experience as a public school teacher and a union member, he praised the worker-centric policies that both Harris and President Joe Biden have championed during their administration.

He highlighted shared backgrounds with Harris, noting her early job at McDonald’s. “Vice President Harris took that work ethic and goes to work every single day to ensure families don’t just get by, but thrive,” he stated.

Walz credited Harris with leading efforts to eliminate barriers to union organizing and for casting the crucial tiebreaking vote in the Senate for the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, which he claimed was vital in maintaining public-sector employment during the pandemic. As governor, he made strides in strengthening labor protections and eliminating mandatory employer meetings that sought to discourage union support.

He underscored their shared commitment to labor rights, recalling how they both walked with striking workers. Notably, Walz is only the second union member to appear on a presidential ticket since Ronald Reagan, who had a history with the Screen Actors Guild.

Highlighting the importance of grassroots support, Walz urged the union members to mobilize voters. He warned that the upcoming election could hinge on remarkably tight margins: “This is going to be a close, tough race,” he remarked. Encouraged by Harris’s slogan, he led the crowd in a chant, “When we fight, we win.”

In a pointed critique of the Republican ticket, led by former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, Walz made it clear that their policies do not align with the needs of union workers. He condemned Trump’s support for “right-to-work” laws, citing conversations with labor leaders who have criticized Trump’s anti-union stance.

Walz claimed that a second Trump administration would target working-class interests, referencing “Project 2025,” a conservative policy agenda that aims to limit union organizing and reduce working hours. He dismissed Trump’s attempt to distance himself from this agenda, insisting that it would undoubtedly influence his policies if re-elected.

The governor also appealed to a broader audience with discussions on reproductive rights and his opposition to book bans targeting racial or gender-based content, arguing that personal freedoms should be safeguarded from governmental interference. He articulated a vision for a society where individuals are free to make their own choices without excessive oversight.

Addressing scrutiny regarding his military service, Walz defended his record, asserting pride in his 24 years in the Army National Guard. He made it clear that respect for any service member’s service should be paramount, regardless of political affiliations. “Thank you for your service and sacrifice,” he concluded, extending gratitude to all who serve the nation.