• Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, highlighting his proven leadership and dedication to middle-class families.
• As a two-term governor and current chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, Walz is seen as a valuable asset in swing states like Wisconsin and Michigan, where his background and policies may resonate with voters.
• Walz’s background as a veteran, hunter, school teacher, and football coach, along with his progressive stances on issues such as free school meals, voting rights, and abortion, positions him as a strong counter to Donald Trump’s vice-presidential pick, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.

Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate for the upcoming presidential election. In a fundraising text message sent to supporters on Tuesday, August 6th, Harris described Walz as a “battle-tested leader who has an incredible track record of getting things done for Minnesota families.” On social media, she emphasized that Walz’s “convictions on fighting for middle-class families run deep. It’s personal.”

As a two-term governor and current chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, Walz could be especially helpful in swing states such as Wisconsin and Michigan. He is poised to clash with former President Donald Trump’s vice-presidential pick, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance. Both Walz and Vance were selected to sway Midwestern voters. Walz is well known in western Wisconsin due to shared media markets with Minnesota, while Michigan shares economic and cultural similarities with Minnesota and his style of governance.

Walz grew up in a small town in Nebraska. He enlisted in the Army National Guard at 17, was elected to Congress from one of Minnesota’s more conservative districts, and once earned the National Rifle Association’s endorsement. Initially viewed by Minnesotans as a moderate Democrat when first elected governor in 2018, Walz has governed more to the left than expected. He supported free school meals for students, voting rights for the formerly incarcerated, driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, and recreational marijuana. He also signed a law that made abortion a “fundamental right.”

Walz was picked for his experience and track record on issues such as the child tax credit, paid leave, abortion rights, and gun control. His background as a veteran, hunter, school teacher, and football coach may appeal to Midwesterners. He is viewed as a strong messenger who can counter Trump and Vance in a debate.

The Democratic National Committee made Harris’s nomination official on Monday, August 5th, following an online voting process. The Democratic National Convention will be held later this month in Chicago. Harris and Walz are scheduled to appear together on August 6th in Philadelphia, starting a five-day joint tour covering seven battleground states.