Presidential hopeful Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate on Tuesday.
Lt. Gov Peggy Flannagan will become the governor and President of the State Senate Sen. Bobby Joe Champion will become the Lieutenant Governor if Walz is elected or steps down as part of the race.
Harris said that Walz’s drive to fight for those he represents motivated her to select him for the job.
“One of the things that stood out to me about Tim is how his convictions on fighting for middle-class families run deep,” Harris said in an Instagram post announcing her decision. “We are going to build a great partnership. We are going to build a great team. We are going to win this election.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Walz was an excellent choice for vice president because he would be a difference maker that would energize the voter base.
“I can’t wait for the rest of the country to get to know @Tim_Walz,” Frey said on X. “Cheers to the ticket that’s going to energize people across the nation.”
Walz, who is in the middle of his second term as Minnesota governor, also served as a congressional representative for the 1st district and as a public school teacher.
Minnesota Republican Rep. Tom Emmer for the 5th District, who was nearly the House speaker before former President Donald Trump opposed him, said in a post on X that Walz’s selection was unsurprising and criticized the Minnesota governor.
“He embodies the same disastrous economic, open-borders and soft-on-crime policies Harris has inflicted on our country the last four years,” Emmer said on X. “Walz is an empty suit who has worked to turn Minnesota into Harris’ home state of California, and solidifies this ticket’s full embrace of a radical, America-last agenda.”
Walz beat out other potential vice presidential hopefuls like Pennslyvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly.
Flannagan would be the first female Native American governor in U.S. history.
If elected, Walz would become the third Minnesotan to become vice president behind Walter Mondale and Hubert Humphrey.
Walz and Harris will face off against former President Donald Trump and Ohio Sen. JD Vance in the November election.
Editor’s Note: Information on Flannagan potentially taking over for Walz has been updated for clarity.
KG
Aug 6, 2024 at 12:25 pm
We can be proud that Tim Walz has been chosen to be Kamala Harris’ running mate. Tim Walz has had the courage to speak out on controversial issues. He had the moral clarity to support LGBTQ+ rights early on. He consistently opposed divestment in his position on the State Board of Investment. And he described the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, as an absolute lack of humanity. He said, “The terrorism and the barbarism brought on – that’s not a geopolitical discussion. That’s murder.” It is to be hoped that UMN and its new administrators will preserve his moral compass on these important issues.
Gina
Aug 6, 2024 at 12:03 pm
I’m selfishly sad to possibly lose Walz as governor, but he is a strong pick for VP. His record on education and LGBTQ issues is good and hopefully this comes through on the national forum.
Max
Aug 6, 2024 at 11:46 am
I’m confused– Walz isn’t resigning is he? Flannagan will only take over if Harris/Walz wins in November.
Gary Cohen
Aug 6, 2024 at 11:15 am
None of those changes you note in the story happen until Walz wins. No changes until election day – he’s still governor.
Thank you
Aug 6, 2024 at 11:00 am
Hi Jack – Where are you seeing that Walz resigned? Much of your language “Walz’s old job”, “Flannagan will become governor”, “Champion will become the Lieutenant Governor” is dependent on Walz officially vacating his current office. I have not found any other publications that claim this currently and would like to see citation or updated language in this article. Thank you!