Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, is Kamala Harris’ pick to be her vice-presidential running mate, several news outlets reported early Tuesday.
Walz, 60, has spent part of his adult life as a teacher and part as a politician. He’s been governor of Minnesota since 2019. He served in Congress from 2017 to 2019. Before seeking his House seat, Walz was a social studies teacher who helped coach the high school football team.
He’s known as outspoken — he coined the term “weird” to describe the Republican presidential ticket —and is well-liked in the party’s liberal wing. Walz also has insider credibility as chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.
Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, was seen as needing to choose someone who would be an easy fit in swing states, notably those in the Midwest.
Walz provides that balance for Harris, a former California attorney general and U.S. senator who once nominated will be the first woman of color to head a major-party ticket.
Just how much the vice presidential choice will make to the outcome of the November election, though, is questionable.
“Most people will base their vote on their preferences between the competing presidential candidates and the policies associated with their parties,” said Joel Goldstein, a scholar on vice presidential history.
Goldstein, a professor emeritus of law at St. Louis University, said the vice presidential choice “may affect the outcome at the margins, either because some otherwise undecided voters prefer one of the VP candidates or because the choice sends messages about the presidential candidate’s decision-making ability and values.”
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump picked Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, for the GOP ticket last month. So far it’s made no apparent difference in how the public views the campaign.
Vance has stirred controversy, notably as his 2021 comments about “childless cat ladies” went viral after he was chosen for vice president. The comments were criticized by members of both parties.
“It’s early, but instead of lifting the ticket, the selection of Vance as his vice president may be a drag on Trump’s re-election chances,” said Kevin Wagner, co-director of the Public Opinion Research Lab at Florida Atlantic University, which conducts polls.
Most surveys taken in the last few days show Harris in a statistical tie with Trump, who had been leading in key swing states.
Harris, though, has gained some ground in many of those states thanks to the enthusiasm her candidacy has generated among Democrats since President Joe Biden left the race July 21 and endorsed her.
The states in play are seen as including Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina and Georgia.
Harris plans to visit swing states this week, and was said to have strongly considered top Democrats from several of those states for vice president.
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
