Democrats have praised Vice President Kamala Harris for her choice as running mate after weeks of struggling to field a full field of candidates after President Biden dropped out of the race.
After an expedited vetting process, it was revealed Tuesday that Harris had chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate to challenge former President Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
“Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will lead America to a brighter future for everyone. Move forward!” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) wrote on Twitter after the announcement.
“Tim Walz is fantastic,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told “Morning Joe” on Tuesday. “To describe him as left-wing is unrealistic. He’s very much center. He’s the center of the Democratic Party of America.”
Vice President Harris picks Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as running mate: AP
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz welcomes Vice President Kamala Harris upon her arrival at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on March 14, 2024. (Stephen Maturen/AFP)
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (Democrat), who was reportedly one of two finalists Harris was considering as her running mate, issued a statement of support following the decision.
“I am a fervent supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris and am confident that with Governor Tim Walz on the shortlist, she will help move our country forward. Lori and I consider Tim and Gwen good friends, and we look forward to the country getting to know them as the incredible people they are.”
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, another candidate originally on Harris’ running mate list, wrote that Walz is “an extremely capable governor and a pleasure to work with.”
Most Americans have never heard of Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate.
California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, called the selection “great.”
“No one knows this job better than the current VP, who served two terms under the former VP. Tim Walz is a man who does the right thing. Whether it’s free school lunches or working against gun violence, he has never flinched. He values honor and decency, making him the perfect fit for a race on light and dark,” Newsom wrote to X. “He will be a great partner as Governor and a great VP. Let’s get started.”
“I am thrilled that Tim Walz will be joining the Democratic nominee,” said former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“He’ll be a great partner to be our first woman president. Let’s win together,” Clinton said.
Squad member and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar also voiced her support for the Democratic candidate.
Gov. Tim Walz arrives for a press conference in Bloomington, Minnesota, on August 1, 2024. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
“Congratulations to the Vice President-elect,” Omar wrote to X. “Our North Star Governor has enacted universal school lunches, paid family and medical leave, legalized marijuana, and protected reproductive rights. You’ve added Minnesota greatness to your list of candidates.”
“Vice President Harris made an incredible decision to select Governor Walz as her running mate,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said in a post on X. “Together, they will govern effectively, comprehensively, and boldly for the American people. From health care to school lunches, they will never flinch when the going gets tough. Together, we will do it.”
“@Tim_Walz will be a tremendous asset to @KamalaHarris’ winning campaign and administration,” said Sen. Brenie Sanders, R-Vermont. “He’s a former public school teacher, football coach, and strong union supporter. As governor, he worked hard for working families in Minnesota. As vice president, he’ll work hard for working families in America.”
“I have confidence in Vice President Harris,” Sen. LaFonza Butler, D-Calif., told Fox. “When you look at Governor Walz’s track record as a leader in Minnesota, I think he’s actually been pretty well-rounded.”
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Butters added that he hopes the selection “will inspire not only the people of Minnesota, but also Democrats and hopefully other Republicans who are trying to carve out a new future for this country. I hope it will inspire them as well.”
Harris and Walz are scheduled to hold their first joint campaign event in Pennsylvania on Tuesday.
