Kamala Harris chooses Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as his vice presidential candidate. Known for his progressive policies and outspokenness, Mr. Walz is expected to help Ms. Harris win the support of rural white voters.

Mr. Walz is a veteran of the National Guard and a former teacher. In 2006, he was elected to the House of Representatives in a typically Republican district and became governor of Minnesota in 2018. As governor, Mr. Walz pushed a progressive agenda, including providing Free school meals, climate change goals, middle-class tax cuts and expanded paid leave for Minnesota workers.

The 60-year-old politician has long supported women’s reproductive rights but also showed conservative leanings when representing a rural area in the US House of Representatives, with a view to protecting agricultural interests and supporting gun ownership.

With this choice, Ms. Harris adds to her team a famous politician from the Midwest, whose home state always votes Democratic in elections, but is located near two battleground states. important are Wisconsin and Michigan. Battleground states play a decisive role in US presidential elections.

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. Join us:https://t.co/W4AE2WlMTj

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 6, 2024

Mr. Walz is considered skilled in connecting with rural white voters, a group that has supported Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in recent years.

Ms. Harris’s campaign hopes Mr. Walz’s long career in the National Guard, along with his time as a successful football coach and his engaging videos will attract voters who have not yet supported him. Support Mr. Trump to return to the White House.

Mr. Walz was not a nationally known person until Ms. Harris’s team vetted each candidate to select a deputy, but his name quickly rose from there. He is said to have received the support of powerful former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who played an important role in persuading President Joe Biden to leave the race.

Ms. Harris and Mr. Walz will compete against Mr. Trump and his deputy JD Vance, who is also a military veteran from the Midwest, in the November 5 election.

According to Capitoneshirt