Harris Taps Minnesota Gov. Walz as Running Mate for 2024 Election

Vice President Kamala Harris has reportedly chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election. This decision comes approximately two weeks after President Biden ended his reelection bid on July 21, 2024.

Walz, 60, brings a unique background to the ticket. A former high school teacher and military veteran, he served in the Army National Guard for 24 years before entering politics. His experience as a gun owner who represented a conservative rural district in Congress for 12 years could potentially appeal to working-class White voters.

The selection process involved interviews with three finalists: Walz, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. Harris, 59, ultimately chose Walz, signaling the importance of Midwestern battleground states in the upcoming election.

Walz's political career began in 2006 when he was elected to represent Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. He won reelection five times before successfully running for governor in 2018. In 2022, he secured a second term with a significant margin of victory.

As governor, Walz has implemented several progressive policies, including:

• Legalizing recreational marijuana for adults
• Protecting abortion rights
• Expanding LGBTQ protections
• Implementing tuition-free college for low-income Minnesotans
• Providing free breakfast and lunch for schoolchildren

Walz has also gained attention for his criticism of Donald Trump and other Republicans, describing them as "weird" in recent media appearances. This unconventional approach has sparked discussions within political circles.

"These are weird people on the other side. They want to take books away, they want to be in your exam room. … They are bad on foreign policy, they are bad on the environment, they certainly have no health care plan, and they keep talking about the middle-class."

The Harris-Walz ticket faces several challenges in the coming months. They will need to introduce Walz to a national audience and prepare for potential debates against the Trump-Vance ticket. Their first campaign rally is scheduled for Tuesday in Philadelphia, followed by a four-day tour of battleground states.

If elected, Walz's transition to the vice presidency would trigger changes in Minnesota's state leadership. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan would assume the governorship, while Senate President Bobby Joe Champion would become lieutenant governor.

As the election approaches, the Harris-Walz ticket will focus on appealing to voters in crucial Midwestern states. Their success may hinge on Walz's ability to connect with working-class voters while maintaining support from the Democratic base.