Kamala Harris picks Tim Walz as her running mate

Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate.

Harris wrote on social media that Tim Walz stood out from the competition because his convictions on fighting for middle class families run deep.

“Since the day I announced my candidacy, I set out to find a partner who can help unite our nation and move us forward, a fighter for the middle class and patriot who believes in the promise of America “Harris said

By choosing Walz, who is in his second term as governor and has 12 years of experience in Congress, Harris will gain a strong partner. Additionally, Walz has a proven track record of winning over white working-class voters in Rust Belt states and also has a solidly progressive record.

Governor Walz will appear with Harris later on Tuesday at a campaign event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before the pair begin a five-day tour of other key battleground states.

They will also speak at the Democratic National Convention later this month, from 19 to 22 August in Chicago, when the Harris-Walz ticket will be made formal.

Statement from president Joe Biden on Governor Tim Walz

President Joe Biden released a statement acknowledging Vice President Kamala Harris for making a wise decision in choosing Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.

“The first major decision a party nominee makes is their choice for vice president. And Kamala Harris has made a great decision choosing Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate.”

The president also shared that the Harris-Walz ticket would be a powerful voice for working people and America’s great middle class. Additionally, he emphasized that they would be the strongest defenders of our personal freedoms and democracy.

“The Harris -Walz ticket will be a powerful voice for working people and America’s great middle class. They will be the strongest defenders of our personal freedoms and our democracy. And they will ensure that America continue to lead the world and plays its role as the indispensable nation.” Biden statement read.

Before entering the governor’s office, Mr. Walz represented a Republican-leaning district in the U.S. Congress for 12 years. Notably, he won that seat in 2006, becoming the only Democrat to win in the mostly rural district over the past three decades.

Brief history of Tim Walz.

Mr. Walz was a native of rural Nebraska and was the son of a school administrator and a stay-at-home mother. He grew up farming and hunting, and he served in the Army National Guard for 24 years after joining at age of 17.

Additionally, in his early years, Mr. Walz taught secondary school students—first for one year in China, and then in Nebraska. Later, his wife, Gwen Whipple, a fellow teacher, brought him to her native Minnesota, where he taught social studies and geography and coached American football.

Furthermore, Mr. Walz described his entry into politics as almost accidental. He mentioned that he had been motivated to volunteer for John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign after being angered by an incident in which two of his students were turned away from a George W. Bush campaign event.