U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the upcoming November election against Donald Trump, according to The Hill.
Walz, 60, emerged as a surprise contender for the vice-presidential slot after early speculation focused on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. Walz’s profile increased notably last week after a viral cable news interview where he criticized some Republicans as “weird,” a tactic later embraced by national Democrats.
Walz is considered a safer choice for Harris due to his liberal credentials, while Shapiro and Kelly faced criticism from some left-wing factions. Shapiro was scrutinized for his response to pro-Palestinian protests following the Israel-Hamas war, and both he and Kelly faced backlash from union leaders.
qWalz’s Midwestern roots add to his appeal, as Trump has targeted Minnesota as a potential state to flip. Although Biden won Minnesota by 7 points in 2020, and no Republican has won the state in a presidential race for over 50 years, Trump and his running mate JD Vance have intensified their campaign efforts there.
