Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has endorsed Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) as Harris’ running mate, saying Walz is a “voice” for the working class.
“I had the opportunity to speak with the governor a few days ago and was very impressed,” Sanders said. said on Saturday “I think you have a great governor who understands the needs of working families,” he said in an interview with Minnesota Public Radio.
“So I’m very hopeful that the vice president will select a running mate who will speak up and stand up to powerful corporate interests,” he continued. “And I think Tim Walz is the person to do that.”
Sanders is in Minnesota on a “get out the vote” campaign in support of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and hosted a town hall in Mankato, Minnesota, focusing on working-class voters.
The Vermont senator had previously refrained from endorsing Ms Harris, saying he wanted her to demonstrate more concrete commitment on issues important to the working class. Mr Sanders, who ran against Ms Harris and President Biden in 2020, said he wanted to help shape Ms Harris’ campaign before endorsing her.
Sanders said in an interview on Saturday that he was “doing everything in his power” to help Harris beat former President Trump in November’s presidential election, which he said was one of his reasons for visiting the state.
“I think she has a strong track record to campaign alongside President Biden and I think and believe she will be a voice not just on the issue of climate change, not just on the issue of women’s right to control their own bodies, but also on protecting our democracy, but also on the needs of working families,” he said.
Walz, who is one of the final candidates along with Harris in this fall’s election, was first elected to Congress in 2006 and served 12 years in the House before returning to Minnesota.
House Democrats, particularly progressives, have backed their colleague Harris, whose Midwestern roots and military background offer a counterpoint to them.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) also suggested Walz’s track record of supporting unions and working families made him an attractive choice, saying winning the working-class vote was important and she wanted someone who would support workers.
Walz has been rumored to be Harris’ running mate and has attracted national attention, especially since Walz’s heavily Democratic state is a key one Democrats want to hold in the next election.
The Minnesota governor said it was an “honor” to run for the post, and said Harris plans to campaign next week with her running mate, who has yet to make an announcement.
