Overview: Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election. Walz, a former high school teacher and two-term member of Congress, has enacted initiatives that are appealing to many in the Democratic Party, including paid family and medical leave, sick leave, protections for transgender rights, tax credits for low-income parents, and a one billion investment in affordable housing in his state. He has also supported the implementation of universal free school meals for students, the return of voting rights to formerly incarcerated individuals, driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, and the legalization of recreational marijuana. Democrats are hopeful that Walz can help Harris implement this kind of agenda at the national level.
Ellen Perrault
Early Tuesday morning. August 6, 2024, news broke regarding presumptive Democratic nominee for president, Vice President Kamala Harris’ selection of a running mate to appear with her on the November ballot.
Minnesota Governor Governor Gov. Tim Walz received the nod. A former high school teacher, long serving member of the U.S. National Guard and two-term member of Congress, Walz was elected governor of Minnesota in 2018.
While Harris continues moving toward the center in an effort to both broaden her base and to help neutralize Republican attacks about her being a California liberal, Walz, was perceived during his campaign for governor of Minnesota as moderate. According to reports, however, in practice as governor Walz has actually enacted a laundry list of initiatives that are appealing to many in the Democratic Party. They include Democratic wish list items like paid family and medical leave, sick leave, protections for transgender rights, tax credits for low income parents and a one billion investment in affordable housing in his state.
Walz has supported the implementation of universal free school meals for students in his state, the return of voting rights to formerly incarcerated individuals, driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, as well as the legalization of recreational marijuana.
In addition, and important to advocates for choice, Walz signed a law in Minnesota that makes abortion a fundamental right.
Harris’ choice of Walz is strategic for the obvious as well–he is expected to have appeal in some key battle ground states including his home state of Minnesota, Wisconsin and potentially, Michigan.
Walz earned a degree in social science from Chadron State College in Nebraska, served 24 years in the national guard, taught social studies and also spent time as a high school football coach. He and his wife Gwen have two adult children.
Although Walz was not well known outside of Minnesota, before his name hit Harris’ short list of potential candidates she was considering to join her on the Democratic ticket, former President Barack Obama appeared to have his hand on the pulse of Minnesota when he posted on X in May 2023, “[M]innesota has made progress on a whole host of issues–from protecting abortion rights and new gun safety measures to expanding access to the ballot and reducing child poverty.”
According to Obama, “These laws will make a real difference in the lives of Minnesotans.” Democrats are hopeful that perhaps as vice president, Walz can help Harris implement this kind of agenda at the national level.