Walz Embarks on Solo Fundraising Tour as Harris' Running Mate

Tim Walz, Minnesota's governor and recently announced running mate to Vice President Kamala Harris, is set to embark on a series of solo campaign events. This marks a new phase in the Democratic ticket's strategy as they prepare for the November 2024 election.

Walz's itinerary includes a five-state tour focused primarily on fundraising efforts. The tour begins on August 13, 2024, with a speech at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) convention in Los Angeles. AFSCME, founded in 1932, is one of the largest unions in the United States with 1.4 million members. The union has endorsed the Harris-Walz ticket and pledged to mobilize its members for voter turnout.

Following the AFSCME convention, Walz will attend fundraisers in:

• Newport Beach, California
• Denver, Colorado
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Newport, Rhode Island
• Southampton, New York

This focus on fundraising underscores the crucial role of financial resources in modern U.S. political campaigns, where billions of dollars are spent in recent elections.

The governor's solo tour follows a joint campaign swing with Harris through several battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada. These states, which could be won by either party, are critical to the election outcome.

In contrast, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance, selected during the GOP convention in Milwaukee, has taken a different approach. Vance, author of the bestselling memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," has focused on criticizing the Democratic ticket and holding counter-events in the same states visited by Harris and Walz.

Walz has emphasized themes of positivity and neighborliness in his campaign appearances. However, he has not shied away from criticizing former President Donald Trump's policies and legal troubles, including the 34 felony counts Trump faces in a New York case.

The campaign has faced some controversy, with Vance accusing Walz of "stolen valor" - a term referring to false claims of military service or awards. This stems from statements Walz made about his National Guard service. The Harris campaign has since clarified that Walz "misspoke" when referencing his military experience.

Media engagement has emerged as another point of contrast between the campaigns. While Vance has appeared on various podcasts, an increasingly popular medium for political outreach to younger voters, Harris and Walz have been more limited in their press interactions. Harris has promised to give a major interview later this month.

As the campaign progresses, the age demographics of the candidates have come into focus. At 40, Vance is significantly younger than his running mates and opponents: Trump is 78, Harris is 59, and Walz is 60. This age disparity could play a role in voter perceptions, given that the average age of U.S. presidents at inauguration is around 55 years old.

With the election approaching, both tickets are likely to intensify their campaign efforts, balancing fundraising, public appearances, and media engagement to reach voters across the political spectrum.

"We are ready to mobilize to get out the vote in November."