Kamala Harris picks Tim Walz as vice presidential candidate

American Vice President Kamala Harris chose Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate for the White House race.

The selection crowns the short but rapid rise of the Democrat from the Midwest of the USA – from a relatively unknown level to one of the party’s main names for attacking Donald Trump and the Trumpist agenda.

Kamala informed Walz via video call. They are expected to appear together at their first joint rally later today in Philadelphia.

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

A source reported to CNN that during the call, Kamala declared that they are the underdogs in the 2024 presidential race, but that they are confident that together they have a winning message about reducing costs for the middle class and protecting freedom.

In a text message to supporters, Kamala said she was “pleased to share” that she had chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to join the Democratic campaign as her running mate.

Harris also used the message to urge supporters to support the campaign.

“Now, could you contribute $20 to welcome Tim to our ticket? We are counting on your immediate support to defeat Donald Trump and JD Vance,” she said.

“It means a lot to me, Tim and our families to have you by our side,” the Democratic presidential candidate added.

Who is Tim Walz?

A former educator, Walz is currently in his second term as governor of Minnesota and chairs the Democratic Governors Association. He previously served 12 years in Congress, representing a rural, conservative-leaning district that, before and after his term, was dominated primarily by Republicans.

Over the past week, he has delivered a handful of memorable arguments against Republicans, though his most notable contribution has been his determination to pigeonhole the Republican Party, especially its presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and the Ohio senator. JD Vance. Walz referred to the pair as “weird guys,” before addressing his political agenda.

The phrase caught on, becoming a central meme in the new post-Biden version of the campaign, a development that is buzzing with Democrats and apparently frustrating many on the right.

During recent comments at a “White Dudes for Harris” fundraiser, Walz made a basic pitch for the vice president before he was a potential small-dollar donor.

“How many times in 100 days can you change the trajectory of the world? How often in 100 days will you do something that will impact future generations?” Walz asked. “And how many times in the world do you make that bastard wake up later and find out that a black woman kicked his ass and sent him out on the road?”

Kamala got close to Walz during the campaign

Vice President Kamala Harris grew increasingly comfortable with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in the final days of the selection process, people familiar with the search said, elevating the former congressman, professor and Army National Guard commander to join the Democratic ticket, helping lead the party’s fight to defeat Donald Trump.

A small team from Harris’ campaign was at the Minnesota governor’s mansion to greet him and fly with him to Philadelphia, where he will appear tonight with Harris at their first joint campaign rally.

Walz was the “team favorite,” said a source at Harris campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.

Later on Tuesday, Kamala Harris will make calls to the finalists on the Democratic ticket after selecting Tim Walz as her running mate, people familiar with the matter said.

She will inform those who were not chosen and thank them for participating in the process, the person said.

Over the weekend, Harris met with Walz, Josh Shapiro and Mark Kelly for interviews.

The meeting with Walz had “great chemistry,” the person said, and the two hit it off.