Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election, elevating the progressive Midwestern Democrat whose clear and caustic messages about former President Donald Trump — labeling him a “strange ” – have gone viral in recent weeks.
“One of the things that struck me about Tim is how deep his convictions about the fight for middle-class families are,” Harris said in a statement. Instagram post announcing his decision. “We are going to build a great partnership. Let’s build a great team. We will win this election,” she continued.
Relatively unknown on the national stage, Walz enacted an ambitious progressive agenda in Minnesota and received support from Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other progressive House Democrats. Harris chose Walz, 60, over other leading candidates, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly. The selection could help some of the vulnerabilities his campaign faces, particularly in rural regions and battlegrounds.
Walz, who has gained recognition for her grassroots astuteness, could offer a counterweight to Harris’s California background, potentially strengthening the Democratic ticket in areas where the party has long struggled. He served 12 years in Congress representing a red, mostly rural district in southern Minnesota.
His rise in recent weeks has been marked by his aggressive defense of Harris and her campaign, especially against criticism from the Trump camp. Walz has repeatedly said on television that the Republican agenda is “weird,” a phrase that not only resonated with supporters but also went viral, capturing a moment of national attention that underscores his growing influence within the party. Since then, Harris has used the attacking line herself.
See more information: How ‘weird’ became the main campaign attack – for Democrats and Republicans
Walz’s background is firmly rooted in the Midwest. He was raised in a small Nebraska town, graduated from Chadron State College and then taught public school in Mankato, Minnesota, a small town south of Minneapolis, where he and his wife, also a teacher, raised two children. He also coached high school football and served in the Army National Guard for 24 years, rising to the rank of sergeant major.
The choice may reflect concerns about Harris’ appeal in rural America. Despite his strong performance among certain key demographic groups, including black adults and women, there is apprehension among vulnerable Democrats in battleground districts about his ability to connect with voters in more conservative rural districts. Walz’s experience running in competitive, mostly rural districts in southern Minnesota could make him a potential asset to the campaign. His straightforward, relatable style could also counterbalance Harris’s more urban, coastal appeal.
As governor, Walz oversaw significant progressive legislation in Minnesota, codifying the right to abortion into state law, legalizing recreational marijuana, and creating a paid family leave program. He also signed bills that include funding for free school meals for children, free public college tuition for students whose families earn less than $80,000 a year, and health insurance coverage regardless of immigration status.
See more information: Tim Walz knows how to talk about climate change
But his track record can be a double-edged sword: although His accomplishments demonstrate a commitment to progressive values, providing ammunition to Republicans who argue that his policies are out of step with the broader electorate. Some Critics have accused Walz of moving Minnesota too far to the left, pointing to his handling of the unrest following the death of George Floyd as an example of his alleged failures. Walz has faced criticism over how long it took to deploy the National Guard to stop the rioting, looting and arson that engulfed a five-mile stretch of Minneapolis following the 2020 killing of Floyd by a white police officer, a charge that Republicans will will likely continue to leverage against him. Walz deployed hundreds of National Guard troops three days after the demonstrations began, claiming the city did not provide detailed information needed to mobilize the Guard earlier.
Some His past positions, particularly on gun control, have changed over the years, leading to other potential vulnerabilities that Republicans are sure to exploit. His “A” rating from the NRA while in Congress later turned into an “F” rating as he supported an assault weapons ban and other gun control measures during his 2018 gubernatorial run, a move he attributed to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which killed 17 people. “I had an A rating from the NRA. Now I get a straight F. And I sleep very well”, Walz wrote in X.
Shortly after the pick was announced, the Trump campaign called Walz a “radical leftist” and a “West Coast wannabe.” In a statement, Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in part: “Like Kamala Harris, Tim Walz is a dangerously liberal extremist, and the Harris-Walz California dream is every American’s nightmare.”
Despite these criticisms, Walz’s supporters argue that his pragmatic approach and his ability to appeal to a wide range of voters make him a valuable addition to Harris’ ticket. He also gained a reputation as a unifying force during his time in Congress, where he was known for finding common ground with Republicans on issues such as veterans benefits.
Walz’s appeal could extend beyond Minnesota to other swing states in the upper Midwest, such as Wisconsin and Michigan. William Adler, associate professor of political science at Northeastern Illinois University, sees Walz as a “safe” choice for Harris: “If you want to bet on the Midwest, Walz makes sense. Minnesota is not exactly a swing state, but it is close enough to a swing state to help it,” says Adler. “He gives you the moderate white man’s portfolio, but in some ways he’s been quite progressive as governor.”
If Harris and Walz win, their departure from the governorship would usher in Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan as the nation’s first Native American woman governor.
— With reporting by Rebecca Schneid/New York
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
