Kamala Harris is running with Tim Walz as vice president.
After discussions with at least six potential vice presidents, the Democratic Party's presidential nominee has made her choice: Kamala Harris will run for the White House with Tim Walz by her side. The former teacher and governor of Minnesota can appeal to white, rural voters.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is running for president in November with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for vice president. Multiple U.S. media outlets initially reported this, which Harris later confirmed on Twitter. "As a governor, coach, teacher, and veteran, he's fought for working families like his own. It's great to have him on the team," Harris wrote.
The 60-year-old governs Minnesota, a state that has been solidly Democratic for years. However, he has also gained traction with white voters in rural areas who have predominantly voted for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in recent years. Before becoming governor, Walz had previously defeated Republicans in elections for the House of Representatives. Prior to his political career, he was a member of the National Guard for over two decades.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was also frequently mentioned as a hot contender for the vice presidency. The choice of a running mate can have significant implications for the campaign, as the candidate's background, popularity, or ability to influence key voter groups can contribute to a victory or defeat.
Tour through Swing States Expected
Harris, who is the first woman, as well as the first black and South Asian person to hold the office of vice president, was under time pressure in her search for a running mate. U.S. President Joe Biden only withdrew from the presidential race at the end of July, leaving Harris to take the lead. Since then, she has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in campaign donations and quickly secured enough Democratic delegates to be officially nominated by the party on Monday evening. The Democratic National Convention will take place from August 19 to 22. The presidential election is on November 5.
In polls, Trump and Harris are neck and neck. Insiders report that Harris held discussions with potential candidates over the weekend. It is expected that Harris and Walz will begin a tour through several swing states this week, where the election is likely to be decided. These swing states include Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Trump's running mate, J.D. Vance, has also announced that he will campaign in swing states this week. The 39-year-old senator from Ohio is popular among Trump's ultra-conservative base. Once a critic of Trump, he is now seen as one of the Republican Party's future hopes. However, his start as a vice presidential candidate has been rocky, with old statements like criticizing "childless cat ladies" causing controversy and potentially alienating female voters.
The Democratic ticket, led by Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, is expected to tour several swing states, including Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, in an effort to sway undecided voters before the November 5 election. The United States presidential election will take place after the Democratic National Convention, which began on August 19.
As the first female, black, and South Asian vice president in the United States of America, Kamala Harris has had a challenging yet successful search for a running mate, securing Biden's endorsement and garnering support from Democratic voters nationwide.
