US Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate, according to CNN.
According to a Reuters report, two names were being discussed for the Democratic vice presidential nomination – Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
However, no formal announcement has been made by Kamala Harris or the Democratic Party regarding the vice-presidential candidate.
Tim Walz Walz has been a vocal supporter of both President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Following Biden’s poor showing against Republican nominee Donald Trump, Walz was vocal in his support for the president amid calls to end his re-election campaign.
After Biden dropped out of the presidential race, Walz endorsed Kamala Harris the next day and emerged as a key driver of Democrats’ attacks on Trump.
Before entering politics, Tim Walz was a high school teacher and football coach in Mankato, Minnesota.
Walz also served in the Army National Guard for 24 years and retired with the rank of master sergeant.
In 2006 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District. During his tenure in Congress, he focused on veterans’ affairs, education, and agriculture, earning respect for his bipartisan approach.
In 2018, Walz was elected governor of Minnesota. His tenure included many significant challenges, most prominently the COVID-19 pandemic. Walz’s response included lockdowns, mask mandates, and vaccine distribution efforts, which received mixed reactions from the public.
Walz is widely seen as adept at connecting with white, rural voters, and he could be important to Democrats, as that group has largely voted for Republican Donald Trump in recent years.