Kamala Harris Chooses Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as Her Running Mate: What to Know About the Underdog VP Pick

Mar. 15, 2025

Kamala Harrischose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her 2024 running mate on Tuesday, Aug. 6, rounding out the new Democratic White House ticket.

“One of the things that stood out to me about Tim is how his convictions on fighting for middle class families run deep. It’s personal,” Harris said in a statement explaining her decision. “We are going to build a great partnership. We start out as underdogs but I believe together, we can win this election.”

Walz, 60, joined a rumoredshortlist of vice presidential pickseven before PresidentJoe Bidenwithdrew from the race, as Democratic power brokers pondered what a strong, alternate ticket might look like.

Other VP potentials who caught Harris' eye included Pennsylvania Gov.Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen.Mark Kelly, Kentucky Gov.Andy Beshear, Illinois Gov.J.B. Pritzkerand Transportation SecretaryPete Buttigieg. Walz was initially the dark horse in the group, but his recent headline-generating media circuit positioned him a serious contender.

As the new presumptive vice presidential nominee, Walz will immediately hit the campaign trail with Harris for a five-day tour of seven battleground states, beginning with a stop in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening.

Gov. Tim Walz watches Vice President Kamala Harris speak at the St. Paul Planned Parenthood on March 14, 2024.Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via Getty

Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via Getty

Walz is a former teacher, national guardsman and high school football coach who turned to politics in 2006 when he successfully ran for U.S. Congress as a Democrat in a historically Republican district. After 12 years in the House, during which he became a senior member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Walz soundly won the 2018 Minnesota gubernatorial race.

Since his reelection, the governor has adopted a platform that aligns with a significant portion of the Biden-Harris administration. He’s signed legislation into law that protected Minnesotans' access to abortion, legalized marijuana and addressed calls for police reform. Afather of two, he has been open about his family’s experience with IVF.

Tim Walz greets Kamala Harris upon her arrival in St. Paul, Minn., on March 14, 2024.STEPHEN MATUREN/AFP via Getty

STEPHEN MATUREN/AFP via Getty

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris attend a Philadelphia campaign rally on May 29, 2024.Andrew Harnik/Getty

Andrew Harnik/Getty

Biden, 81, made the last-minute decision on July 21 toabandon his reelection campaignamid mounting pressure from Democrats, who feared that he was not a strong enough candidate to defeatDonald Trumpafter seeing his performance in thefirst presidential debate.

The president promptly endorsed Harris to replace him on the ticket, creating arapid trickle effectof Democratic lawmakers and delegates who determined that the most unifying path forward was to stand with Harris.

Though other candidates could have jumped in and challenged Harris for the nomination, no major players decided to, clearing the way for Harris tobecome the Democratic nominee.

“Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead,” Harris said after entering the presidential race. “I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation — to defeat Donald Trump and his extremeProject 2025agenda.”

source: people.com