Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) has enlisted another Minnesotan to play the role of Gov. Tim Walz (D) in preparation for next week's vice presidential debate.
Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), a member of House Republican leadership, will help Vance prepare for the debate and serve as a surrogate for Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, two sources familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill.
Emmer is from the same state as Waltz, and the New York Times Reported The selection was made because the congressman would be able to emulate Waltz's “down-to-earth style” – both Emmer and Waltz served in the House of Representatives for several years before Waltz ran for governor.
Emmer, a Republican, ran for speaker last fall as Republicans sought to replace Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, but her candidacy was blocked within the party by Trump, who branded her a “globalist Republican primary candidate.”
Vance and Walz will face off in the only vice presidential debate hosted by CBS News on October 1.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is reportedly playing Vance's role in preparing Walz.
Vance has repeatedly attacked Gov. Walz's military service, accusing him of stealing honors and claiming he lied about his time in the Army National Guard.
Waltz served in the Army National Guard for 24 years but never saw combat. He left before his unit was deployed to run for Congress, but those who served with him say their unit didn't know they were being discharged when they did.
—Caroline Vakil contributed.
