Tim Walz: The Unexpected Pick Shaping Kamala Harris' 2024 VP Strategy

 

Who is Tim Walz? When accepting Joe Biden’s invitation to join him in the race for the presidency and alternate as the Vice presidential candidate, Kamala Harris wanted to provide more than just variety for the Democratic party.

 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Reports indicate that Vice President Kamala Harris has opted for the Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate as the sources close to her decision indicate. The 60-year-old democrat and military veteran rose to prominence doing no-nonsense television appearances after Biden stated that he will not seek the second term. This particular state is pretty progressive, and Walz made sure consumers could freely purchase tickets for Taylor Swift’s shows and other live performances.

The decision to choose Walz was verified by three individuals who shared this information with The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, as the announcement has not yet been made public.

 

Here are some key points to know about Tim Walz:

WALZ'S ROOTS IN RURAL AMERICA

Walz epitomizes the American heartland. He was born in West Point, Nebraska, a small town with a population of about 3,500 located northwest of Omaha. Walz joined the Army National Guard and pursued a teaching career in Nebraska.

 

In the 1990s, Walz and his wife relocated to Mankato in southern Minnesota, where he taught social studies and coached football at Mankato West High School. Under his guidance, the team won its first state championship in 1999, a feat he proudly attributes to his union membership.

 

Walz dedicated 24 years to the Army National Guard, retiring in 2005 as a command sergeant major, one of the highest enlisted ranks in the military.

 

A PROVEN CONNECTOR WITH CONSERVATIVE VOTERS

Walz first made waves in politics by defeating a Republican incumbent in his inaugural run for Congress in 2006. He won in a predominantly rural district in southern Minnesota against six-term Representative Gil Gutknecht, leveraging voter dissatisfaction with then-President George W. Bush and the Iraq war.

During his six terms in the U.S. House, Walz was a staunch advocate for veterans’ issues. He also endeared himself to the public with his relatable persona, showcased in social media videos featuring his daughter, Hope. In one memorable clip from last fall, they tried out a Minnesota State Fair ride called “The Slingshot,” chatting about fair food and her vegetarian lifestyle.

POTENTIAL IMPACT IN KEY MIDWESTERN STATES

Though Walz hails from Minnesota, not one of the critical “blue wall” states like Wisconsin, Michigan, or Pennsylvania, his influence could still be significant. He could help ensure Minnesota remains under Democratic control, countering former President Donald Trump’s claims that the state is up for grabs this year.

 

Minnesota hasn't elected a Republican to statewide office since 2006, and a GOP presidential candidate hasn't won the state since Richard Nixon's landslide victory in 1972. Nevertheless, Trump has been actively campaigning in Minnesota.

 

When Democratic Governor Mark Dayton chose not to seek a third term in 2018, Walz ran for the position and won on a “One Minnesota” platform. He resonates with Rust Belt voters, championing Democratic priorities like union organizing, workers’ rights, and a $15 minimum wage.

NAVIGATING DIVIDED GOVERNMENT

During his first term as governor, Walz managed a split Legislature with a Democratic-led House and a Republican-controlled Senate that opposed his proposals for increased funding for schools, healthcare, and infrastructure through higher taxes. Despite these challenges, he and lawmakers reached compromises that maintained productivity in the state’s divided government.

However, bipartisan cooperation became more difficult during his second year, as Walz used emergency powers to shut down businesses and schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to Republican pushback and the ousting of some agency heads. Republicans also criticized Walz’s response to the unrest following George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020.

Walz’s second term saw an easing of these tensions after he defeated Republican Scott Jensen, a physician known for his vaccine skepticism. With Democrats gaining control of both legislative chambers, Walz pursued a more progressive agenda, supported by a substantial budget surplus.

His administration removed nearly all state abortion restrictions enacted by Republicans, safeguarded gender-affirming care for transgender youth, and legalized recreational marijuana use. Rejecting Republican calls to use the budget surplus for tax cuts, Democrats instead funded free school meals, free public college tuition for families earning under $80,000 annually, a paid family and medical leave program, and healthcare coverage regardless of immigration status.

MASTER OF SOUND-BITE POLITICS

Walz has demonstrated an adeptness for impactful sound bites. In a recent MSNBC interview, he labeled Republican nominee Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance as “just weird,” a sentiment he reiterated on CNN, citing Trump’s references to the fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter in his speeches.

This characterization quickly became a theme for Harris and other Democrats, potentially shaping the narrative of the undoubtedly unusual 2024 election.