Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris answered the question that’s been on everybody’s minds when she announced her pick of a running mate. Harris will be running alongside Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota. Here’s what you need to know about the Vice Presidential hopeful.
He’s a dad, a coach, and a teacher
Videos of Walz and his 23-year-old daughter have already begun to go viral, and the internet seems to be responding to his midwestern “uncoolness.” Before he began his career in politics, Walz was a high school history teacher who coached the school’s football team and was the faculty advisor to the Gay Straight Alliance.
On a more personal note, Walz has been open about the difficulties he and his wife Gwen went through to conceive their daughter through IVF. As the politics of reproduction come under fire, this may resonate with voters.
He is a gun owner and hunter
Walz has spoken openly about his love of hunting and was named one of the “best politicians for gun owners” in 2016, but he also supports assault weapon bans. In Minnesota, he approved a gun safety bill that was historic in his scope.
In general: Walz seems to champion populist policies that the Harris campaign hopes will resonate with undecided voters. Harris’s team is banking on those policies, along with Walz’s plainspoken affability, to help them at the polls.
After hearing Tim Walz in Detroit, I am convinced VP Harris chose the right guy for her running mate! They are an awesome team!!
I am a Minneapolis resident who is devastated by the "protests" of 2020. As our Governor, Walz had every opportunity to deploy the National Guard. By the time the guard was called, the police had already surrendered the 3rd precinct station. The residents of the area deserved better from the Governor and the government.
Today this seems surreal as the person who bailed out the most hostile protesters in Minneapolis 2020 chose the Minnesota state Governor to be her VP... Wow!