Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election, as reported by the Associated Press.
The announcement states that Harris will present Walz at a rally on Tuesday evening (August 6) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This news follows Harris officially securing the Democratic nomination after a virtual roll call vote of the party’s delegates.
Walz, aged 60, a former high school teacher and U.S. Army veteran, assumed office as governor in 2019. He has a track record of defeating Republicans, including unseating a six-time incumbent in his congressional race and overcoming two Republican challengers in his gubernatorial race.
Among the contenders for the vice-presidential pick, Walz emerged as a popular choice due to his down-to-earth communication style, sharp wit, and experience as an educator and military veteran. He was one of the first to employ the strategy of labeling Donald Trump and his supporters as “weird.” His endorsement of Harris came swiftly after President Joe Biden withdrew from re-election.
Although Minnesota is not a swing state, Harris’s campaign is banking on Walz’s appeal to residents in neighboring mid-western states like Wisconsin and Michigan, which could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election.
CNN reported that during a recent fundraising event for Harris, Walz remarked, “How often in 100 days do you get to change the trajectory of the world? How often in 100 days do you get to do something that’s going to impact generations to come? And how often in the world do you make that bastard wake up afterwards and know that a Black woman kicked his a**, sent him on the road?”
Democratic strategist Raghu Devaguptapu, a former Democratic Governors Association political director, praised Walz’s steady, likable demeanor and ability to build a diverse support base. Devaguptapu noted, “He’s not the most charismatic guy, but he’s a steady hand. He’s really thoughtful, very likeable. He’s done a really nice job of building a broad coalition of support. … That’s the center of strength around Tim Walz.”
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