PHILADELPHIA, PA — Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice presidential running mate, a key addition for her campaign as she hopes to continue to her momentum.
Harris’ campaign texted supporters Tuesday morning, informing them of the news. In the message, they called Walz “a battle-tested leader who has an incredible track record of getting things done for Minnesota families”.
Walz, who’s in his second term and also served 12 years in Congress, has a proven record of winning over white working-class voters in Rust Belt states, which is key to Harris winning the White House.
The 60-year-old is a former public school teacher and a member of the Army National Guard. He could use that experience to attract key voters including veterans and organized labor.
Harris and Walz made their first appearance at a rally in Philadelphia to a crowd over of 14,000. Supporters waited in lines outside the Liacouras Center at Temple University for hours as the line wrapped six blocks.
“Since the day that I announced my candidacy, I set out to find a partner who can help build this brighter future,” Harris said. “So, Pennsylvania, I’m here today because I found such a leader.”
Harris leaned into the Minnesota governor’s background as a football coach, repeatedly referring to him as “Coach Walz.”
Walz coached and taught social studies at Mankato West High School and helped lead the football team to a state championship in 1999.
“The nation will know Coach Walz by another name, vice president of the United States,” she said.
Harris said she and Walz are committed to protecting women’s reproductive rights and restoring rights that were taken away after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
“With Tim Walz by my side when I am president of the United States, [and] we win majorities in the United States Congress, we will pass a bill to restore reproductive freedom, and I will proudly sign it into law,” she said.
Walz took the podium and while he touted his own accomplishments — he used the moment take several shots at Trump.
“He drove our economy into the ground. And make no mistake, violent crime was up under Donald Trump. That’s not even counting the crimes he committed,” he said.
“He never sat at that kitchen table, like the one I grew up at, wondering how we were going to pay the bills. He sat at his country club in Mar-a-Lago wondering how he can cut taxes for his rich friends,” Walz said.
The Minnesota governor also took a shot at Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, saying his career was funded by “Silicon Valley billionaires.”
“I got to tell you, I can’t wait to debate the guy, that is if he’s willing to get off the couch and show up,” Walz said.
Tuesday’s Harris-Walz event kicks off a five-day campaign road trip that will visit seven crucial swing states.
