< p>Kamala Harris said she was "proud" to announce today that she has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz as her running mate to face Donald Trump in tandem with him in the US presidential election in November, AFP reported.
"As a governor, coach, teacher and veteran, he has protected the interests of working families as his own," the Democratic presidential candidate wrote on the social network "X" about the man who will become her vice president if she wins the election.
I am proud to announce that I've asked @Tim_Walz< /a> to be my running mate.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 6, 2024
As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he's delivered for working families like his.
It's great to have him on the team.
Now let's get to work. Join us:https://t.co/W4AE2WlMTj
The candidate of the Democratic Party for the presidency of the United States, Kamala Harris, today chose the governor of the state of Minnesota, Tim Waltz, as her candidate for vice president. Harris made the official announcement in a text message to supporters, Reuters reported earlier.
"I am happy to share that I have made my decision: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will join our campaign as my running mate," she said, adding, "Tim is a battle-hardened leader who has behind incredible accomplishments benefiting Minnesota families. I know he will bring the same principled leadership to our campaign and to the position of vice president." Harris also indicated that he is "proud" with his choice, notes AFP. She added that she would formally introduce Walz later today at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, according to the Associated Press.
A 60-year veteran of the US National Guard and former teacher, Walz was elected to the US House of Representatives in 2006, where he served for 12 years before being elected Governor of Minnesota in 2018.
/p>
Waltz edged out Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, and Andy Beshear, the governor of Kentucky, according to the AP. Arizona Senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly was also in the running for the Democratic vice presidential nomination.
Waltz was relatively unknown nationally until Harris' nomination for the Democratic presidential nomination, but his public image has skyrocketed since then. A popular former member of Congress, according to some media reports, he received the support of the influential former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, who contributed to persuading Biden to drop out of the race, Reuters notes.
Waltz attacked Donald Trump and JD Vance as "freaks", an insult that was picked up by Harris' campaign staff, social media, media and Democratic activists.
The governor also attacked Trump and Vance's claims of being middle-class. "They keep talking about the middle class. A rogue real estate mogul and venture capitalist trying to tell us they understand who we are? They don't know who we are," Walz said in an interview with MSNBC.
The Democratic tandem of Harris-Waltz is facing off against former Republican President Donald Trump and his running mate, Vice President JD Vance, in the race for the White House. Three months before the vote, Walz's selection is Harris' first major decision since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. President Joe Biden withdrew his bid for re-election in July and passed the baton to Harris.
The latest polls suggest that the race between Harris and Trump is essentially very close.