On Tuesday, Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States and the Democratic nominee for president, announced that she has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Walz, 60, was selected from a group of potential candidates who had strong political profiles and came from key states.
Harris made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “I am proud to announce that I’ve asked @Tim_Walz to be my running mate. As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he’s delivered for working families like his. It’s great to have him on the team. Now let’s get to work.”
Tim Walz responded to the news on social media, calling it the “honor of a lifetime.” He wrote, “It is the honor of a lifetime to join @kamalaharris in this campaign. I’m all in. Vice President Harris is showing us the politics of what’s possible. It reminds me a bit of the first day of school. So, let’s get this done, folks!”
Harris also updated her X profile with a new cover photo featuring ‘Harris Walz’ on a blue background. According to CNN, the “chemistry” between Harris and Walz was an important factor in her decision. The source mentioned that their previous interactions, including Walz’s campaigning and a visit to an abortion clinic, played a significant role in her choice. The Harris campaign was impressed by Walz’s popularity and his successful tenure as governor.
Tim Walz has had a notable career. He served for over twenty years in the Army National Guard, including a deployment overseas after the 9/11 attacks. He started his political career by defeating a long-time Republican congressman in 2006 and served multiple terms in Congress. In 2018, he became the Governor of Minnesota.
As governor, Walz has faced significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder. Despite these difficulties, he has been successful in leading Minnesota through turbulent times and has built a strong Democratic leadership in the state.
Harris’s choice of Walz highlights her campaign’s strategy to focus on key states in the Midwest. Although Minnesota is not traditionally considered a swing state, Walz’s strong progressive stance and popular support make him a valuable addition to the ticket.
Harris had narrowed down her vice-presidential choices to a shortlist of six candidates and met with each one over the weekend. According to the New York Times, Harris saw Walz as an “Everyman figure” from Minnesota whose background complements her own.
In other news, Harris recently secured the Democratic nomination for president with overwhelming support from delegates at the Democratic National Convention. This came after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race amid concerns about his age and performance in a recent debate with Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump has selected JD Vance, a venture capitalist and author, as his running mate in the upcoming race.
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