Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her Democratic running mate for the 2024 presidential election, three people conversant in the election told NBC News. The two are scheduled to seem together in Philadelphia later Tuesday.
Walz, 60, has been on a shortlist for the vice presidential slot for the past two weeks, together with fellow rising Democratic stars Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. Harris called the candidates who weren’t chosen on Tuesday morning, a source told NBC News.
Shapiro can be scheduled to talk at Harris and Walz's rally in Philadelphia.
Although Walz, a two-term governor of Minnesota, began the vice presidential race with relatively low national name recognition, his profile quickly rose through his media appearances and he won over progressives along with his affable Midwestern demeanor and his path into politics.
Shortly after the news of Walz's selection became known, some progressive groups and unions cheered.
“Governor Walz is known as the 'Education Governor' because he is a tireless advocate for the rights of public school students and teachers and an ally of working families and unions,” Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, wrote in an announcement.
Harris and Rolling will run on the Republican ticket of former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance of Ohio.
The Trump team has already begun to construct an entire series of attacks against Walz, accusing him of supporting a policy of “open borders” and “defunding the police,” and other manipulations are getting used to portray the Harris-Walz team as radically left of center.
Walz was born within the small town of West Point, Nebraska, and joined the Army National Guard after graduating from highschool. Butte, Nebraska.
He later worked as a highschool teacher for several many years, including coaching football and serving as faculty advisor for the varsity's gay-straight alliance.
He won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006, where he served six terms, and was elected Governor of Minnesota in 2018.
Harris became the de facto Democratic candidate two weeks ago after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race following a disastrous performance in the controversy against Trump in late June.
Since then, Harris' campaign team has been working hard to realign the Democratic candidate list, which incorporates a greatly accelerated selection process for potential vice presidential candidates.
While Harris was narrowing down her shortlist over the weekend, she met in person with Walz, Shapiro and Kelly, a source conversant in the meetings told NBC News.
To make her final decision, the vice chairman searched for a government partner with whom she got along well and with whom she could envision working well over the following 4 to eight years, sources conversant in Harris' decision-making process told NBC News.
She wanted someone who wouldn’t undermine her leadership, who had the potential to expand the Democratic map and who could skillfully handle Republican attacks.
Walz offers Harris connections to Capitol Hill, potential appeal to rural voters, a track record of progressive policies and robust media skills.
Harris is anticipated to officially announce Walz as her selection in the following few hours.
This is breaking news, check back later for updates.
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