Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate in an effort to bolster the Democratic ticket in Midwestern states, according to sources from the Associated Press.
She is set to present Walz at a rally on Tuesday evening in Philadelphia.
After no other candidate qualified by a recent deadline, Harris was the sole candidate eligible to receive votes. She officially secured the nomination Monday night when the DNC released the final results.
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The process behind Harris’ selection of Walz as her running mate
A team of lawyers and political operatives, led by former attorney general Eric Holder, carefully reviewed documents and conducted interviews with potential vice presidential candidates.
Harris personally met with her top three finalists on Sunday. After deliberation with key aides on Monday and final discussions on Tuesday morning, Walz emerged as the chosen candidate.
Minnesota Democratic strategist praises Walz’s ability to connect with voters
Minnesota Democratic strategist Abu Amara commends Walz for his capacity to engage with voters across the upper Midwest, given his successful representation of both rural and urban areas in the state.
Amara noted, “He’s not trying to speak in poetry. He speaks in practicality, which provides accessibility to many voters.”
He added, “He has the ability to connect with rural, suburban, and urban voters.”
Republican responses to Walz as Harris’ VP pick
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized the selection, calling it the “most left-wing ticket in American history” and accusing Walz of inadequate action during the 2020 protests in Minnesota following George Floyd’s killing.
DeSantis claimed, “Walz sat by and let Minneapolis burn.”
Tropical Storm Debby impacts Harris’ travel plans
Due to inclement weather, Harris’ campaign had to cancel a scheduled visit to Savannah, Georgia. Additionally, the planned trip to Raleigh, North Carolina, has also been called off. Harris will kick off a tour of battleground states starting in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening.
Harris selects Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as running mate, according to AP sources
Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate, as confirmed by sources familiar with the decision.
In opting for Walz, Harris turns to a Midwestern governor with a military background and strong union support, who has enacted progressive policies in Minnesota. The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized that they were not authorized to publicly disclose the information.
— Seung Min Kim, Zeke Miller, and Colleen Long
Sources reveal Harris’ running mate decision
Vice President Kamala Harris has made her choice for a running mate, with an announcement expected shortly before the pair appears at a rally in Philadelphia, according to three individuals familiar with the decision.
In recent days, Harris had narrowed down her selection to three finalists – Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The chosen candidate had not been publicly disclosed at the time.
Although details of the announcement were being finalized, Harris’ campaign intended to deliver the news through a video message ahead of the rally, as per an individual involved in the planning who requested anonymity.
— Seung Min Kim, Zeke Miller, and Colleen Long
Harris officially secures Democratic presidential nomination
Vice President Kamala Harris has officially secured the Democratic presidential nomination, making history as the first woman of color to lead a major party ticket.
The nomination was finalized after online balloting by Democratic National Convention delegates, with 99% of ballots cast in favor of Harris. The vote will be formally certified before a celebratory roll call at the party’s upcoming convention in Chicago.
Harris’ nomination follows a period of intense activity for Democrats following President Joe Biden’s challenging June debate performance.
Her swift nomination process commenced after Biden’s withdrawal from the race, with Harris and her team swiftly gaining support from the required number of party delegates for the nomination. The Associated Press survey showed she reached the target within 32 hours of Biden’s announcement.
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