US Election: Kamala Harris picks Gov Tim Walz as running mate

Democratic Presidential candidate, Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz as her running mate for the Nov. 5, 2024, election in the United States.

Vice President Kamala Harris will be running the election against Donald Trump of the Republican Party.

Walz, 60, was a surprise contender for the vice-presidential spot, gaining momentum in recent days, particularly after a cable news interview where he criticized some Republicans as “weird” – a phrase later echoed by national Democrats, The Hill reports.

This choice comes after initial speculation focused on other prominent Democrats, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly (D).

Walz’s selection as Harris’s running mate was also seen as a strategic move to appease the left, given his strong liberal credentials.

Other contenders, such as Shapiro and Kelly, had faced criticism from progressive groups – Shapiro for his handling of pro-Palestinian protests during the Israel-Hamas conflict, and both for their stance on union issues.

Additionally, Walz’s Midwestern roots make him an attractive choice, as Trump has been actively campaigning in Minnesota, a state Biden won by 7 points in 2020. With Trump and JD Vance intensifying their efforts to flip the state, Walz’s presence on the ticket could help bolster support in a critical region.

Walz, a 60-year-old U.S. Army National Guard veteran and former teacher, began his political career by winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 from a Republican-leaning district, where he served for 12 years before becoming Minnesota’s governor in 2018.

As governor, Walz has championed a progressive agenda that includes free school meals, ambitious climate change initiatives, tax cuts for the middle class, and expanded paid leave for workers in Minnesota.

While Walz has been a strong advocate for women’s reproductive rights, he has also shown a conservative side during his tenure in the U.S. House, defending agricultural interests and supporting gun rights.

Harris, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, is bolstering her campaign with the addition of Walz, a popular Midwestern politician from a state that consistently votes Democratic in presidential elections. Minnesota’s proximity to Wisconsin and Michigan—two vital battlegrounds—could be pivotal this year.