Kamala Harris picks Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as running mate
“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”.
Walz says VP pick is ‘honor of lifetime’
Tim Walz has just made his first public comment since Harris announced she chose him as her running mate.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to join @kamalaharris, external in this campaign,” he writes on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I’m all in.”
Walz adds that Harris is “showing us the politics of what’s possible”.
“It reminds me a bit of the first day of school,” he says. “So, let’s get this done, folks!”
More details emerge on Harris’ decision-making
We’re starting to learn more about Harris’ selection of Walz and what led her to that decision.
A source familiar with the process told CBS, the BBC’s US partner, that Harris believes Walz has a strong record of policy achievements in Minnesota that could, potentially, be replicated across the US.
This includes child tax credits, as well as a ban on so-called “junk fees”, a state-wide paid sick leave programme and the signing of a bill that protects the right to abortion.
Additionally, Harris believes that his biography and life experiences as a school teacher, football coach, veteran and gun owner mean that he will appeal to voters in Midwest states that will be vital for the Harris campaign to win.
Harris also reportedly believes that Walz has the ability to reach through to voters with his plainspoken attack lines – such as the much-noted label of “weird” he used to describe Trump and Vance.
Lastly, Harris and Walz have a strong relationship, and Harris believes he can be a good partner for her going forward.
We’re starting to learn more about Harris’ selection of Walz and what led her to that decision.
A source familiar with the process told CBS, the BBC’s US partner, that Harris believes Walz has a strong record of policy achievements in Minnesota that could, potentially, be replicated across the US.
This includes child tax credits, as well as a ban on so-called “junk fees”, a state-wide paid sick leave programme and the signing of a bill that protects the right to abortion.
Additionally, Harris believes that his biography and life experiences as a school teacher, football coach, veteran and gun owner mean that he will appeal to voters in Midwest states that will be vital for the Harris campaign to win.
Harris also reportedly believes that Walz has the ability to reach through to voters with his plainspoken attack lines – such as the much-noted label of “weird” he used to describe Trump and Vance.
Lastly, Harris and Walz have a strong relationship, and Harris believes he can be a good partner for her going forward.
Hillary Clinton, the first woman to win a presidential nomination by a major US political party, says she is “thrilled” to see Walz join the Democratic ticket.
“From providing free meals for schoolkids to implementing paid family leave in Minnesota, he’s about doing good in all the ways you can. He’ll be an incredible partner to our first woman president,” she says.
“Let’s go win this,” she adds.
Clinton lost to Trump when the pair ran for president in 2016. She endorsed Harris shortly after the vice-president announced her run.
Walz heads to Pennsylvania to join Harris ahead of rally
Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen, are headed to Philadelphia to join Kamala Harris ahead of her rally there this evening, according to an email sent to campaign staffers.
The brief email – a copy of which was obtained by CBS, the BBC’s US partner – referred to Walz as “a relentless advocate for working families” and a “battle-tested leader” with significant legislative accomplishments.
Walz will join the campaign on a staff call this evening ahead of the rally.
“We’ve got 91 days, let’s go win this!” the email added.
Who is Tim Walz?
Tim Walz is Kamala Harris’ vice-presidential pick – though she has not made a formal announcement.
So who is he?
Before being elected as Minnesota’s governor in 2018, Walz was known as a battle-tested Democrat who served 12 years in Congress.
He has gained national attention for his strategy of calling Donald Trump and JD Vance “weird”.
The phrase caught on with a number of Democrats – including Harris.
“He’s just a strange, weird dude,” Walz said of Trump during a fundraising event.
His plainspoken and small-town Midwestern persona could appeal to independent and conservative voters.
The 60-year-old led Minnesota through the 2020 protests over George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.
He deployed the National Guard to help quell riots that broke out during the demonstrations.
Mr Walz served more than 20 years in the Army National Guard, taught high school and also worked as an assistant football coach.
Minnesota is arguably less of a swing state, but would be a valuable asset for Harris.
