By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) as her running mate ahead of the Democratic National Convention from Aug. 19-22.
“I am proud to announce that I’ve asked Tim Walz to be my running mate. As a governor, a coach, a teacher and a veteran, he’s delivered for working families like his,” said Harris via X, formerly known as Twitter. “It’s great to have him on the team. Now let’s get to work.”
Walz is hitting the ground running alongside Harris, rallying in seven states through the end of this week. The first rally is set for later this evening in Philadelphia.
First elected in 2018, Walz is the 41st governor of Minnesota. While in office, he’s worked on reproductive freedoms, lowering prescription drug costs and expanding voting rights to include 55,000 formerly incarcerated Minnesotans. Walz also established reproductive freedom as a fundamental right in Minnesota in 2023, protecting fertility services, abortion care and more.
Walz also previously served as a congressman for 12 years representing Minnesota’s First District and in the U.S. Army National Guard for 24 years.
“The selection of Gov. Tim Walz as our nominee is a momentous occasion for our party and a pivotal moment for our country,” said Maryland Democratic Party Chair Ken Ulman, in a statement shortly after the announcement. “I am confident that with Gov. Tim Walz on the ticket, Democrats can be confident that our ticket is well-positioned to inspire voters, build on our grassroots momentum and realize a future that reflects our shared values.”
Ulman commended Harris for her choice and threw full support behind her and Walz.
“VP Kamala Harris has once again demonstrated that she is the leader our party needs in this moment with her bold, exciting choice for vice president,” he said. “The Maryland Democratic Party is proud to stand behind VP Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz, and we are ready to work tirelessly to ensure their victory.”
The Trump campaign released a statement on Harris’ choice, calling Walz a “radical leftist.”
“From proposing his own carbon-free agenda, to suggesting stricter emission standards for gas-powered cars and embracing policies to allow convicted felons to vote, Walz is obsessed with spreading California’s dangerously liberal agenda far and wide,” said Karoline Leavitt, Trump campaign press secretary.
Harris made her announcement on the heels of growing major endorsements from former officials under Trump, youth voter groups and environmental organizations.
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