Minnesota governor Tim Walz was in the spotlight recently after his remarks calling MAGA Republicans ‘weird’ went viral
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has picked Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate, US news outlets report.
Walz has recently made the headlines after his comments describing MAGA Republicans as ‘weird’ went viral.
The announcement was widely anticipated, and comes just one day after Harris herself was officially confirmed as the Democratic Presidential nominee after party delegates gave a virtual roll call.
Harris is set to formally introduce Walz as her Vice Presidential running mate at a rally in Pennsylvania today.
The pair are then scheduled to tour key US states in the upcoming election, including scheduled stops in Michigan, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona, and Georgia.
Walz is currently serving his second term as the governor of Minnesota, and also chairs the Democratic Governors Association.
Tim Walz has been confirmed as Kamala Harris’ vice presidential running mate. (Jim Vondruska / Getty)
Prior to this, he served in Congress for 12 years for a rural district, which has been dominated by Republicans for the most part since.
Walz was a staunch defender of President Joe Biden following his performance in the first presidential debate against Republican nominee Donald Trump.
However, following Biden’s announcement that he would be withdrawing from the presidential race Walz endorsed Harris for the Democratic nominee the following day.
His nomination comes after he delivered an effective attack line against MAGA Republicans, referring to Donald Trump and his vice presidential running mate JD Vance as ‘weird dudes’.
Walz is in his second term as Minnesota governor. (Stephen Maturen / Getty)
At a recent fundraiser for Democratic group White Dudes for Harris, Walz appeared to lay out his stall for the vice presidential nomination.
He said: “How often in 100 days do you get to change the trajectory of the world? How often in 100 days do you get to do something that’s going to impact generations to come?
“And how often in the world do you make that b*stard wake up afterwards and know that a Black woman kicked his a**, sent him on the road?”
Walz has also defended his own record, which has included tuition free meals at state universities, protecting gender-affirming care, and enshrining the right to abortion into state law in Minnesota.
Tim Walz will be Kamala Harris’ vice presidential running mate. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Speaking about his own record he said: “What a monster! Kids are eating and having full bellies so they can go learn. Women are making their own healthcare decisions. And we’re a top five business state and we also rank in the top three of happiness.”
In the past his record has also included more conservative positions on gun rights.
These earned him an endorsement from the National Rifle Association which has since been withdrawn following his support for gun safety as governor of Minnesota.
Prior to his entry into politics, Walz worked as a high school teacher and football coach, and served in the Army National Guard.
Republicans appear to have come out swinging since the announcement, with former Trump senior advisor Kellyanne Conway tweeting: “Tim Walz? What a relief.”
Meanwhile, Democratic strategist Raghu Devaguptapu described Walz to CNN as a ‘real steady hand’ as governor.
