Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) as her running mate for the upcoming November election against Donald Trump, according to two sources familiar with the decision.
Walz, 60, emerged as an unexpected choice for the vice-presidential slot amidst early speculation about other high-profile candidates, notably Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly (D).
Walz’s profile rose significantly in the last week, particularly following a viral cable news interview in which he criticized some Republicans as “weird” — a line of attack later picked up by national Democrats.
Seen by many as a safer choice for Harris, Walz’s liberal credentials and lack of recent controversy helped him stand out. Shapiro had faced heavy scrutiny over his response to pro-Palestinian protests following the Israel-Hamas conflict, while both he and Kelly had drawn criticism from union leaders.
Additionally, Walz’s Midwestern roots add to his appeal, especially as Trump has been targeting Minnesota. Although Biden won the state in 2020 by 7 points and no Republican has claimed victory there in over 50 years, Trump and his running mate JD Vance have been ramping up their campaign efforts in Minnesota.