World News
Kamala Harris picks Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her VP running mate
Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the upcoming Presidential election in November 2024.
Harris will compete against former President Donald Trump, representing the Republican Party. Walz, aged 60, has emerged as an unexpected candidate, surpassing other prominent figures such as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, who were initially favored in discussions.
In the past week, the profile of the Minnesota governor has significantly increased, particularly following a viral interview in which he criticized certain Republicans as “weird,” a sentiment that has since been echoed by national Democrats.
Walz is perceived as a more secure choice for Harris, given his liberal credentials and the controversies surrounding some of the other potential candidates, which have drawn criticism from various factions on the left. Shapiro has faced intense scrutiny for his handling of pro-Palestinian protests that arose following the Israel-Hamas conflict, which also attracted backlash from union leaders towards both him and Kelly.
Walz’s appeal is bolstered by his Midwestern roots, as Trump has been focusing on winning over this region. While Biden secured Minnesota by a margin of seven points in 2020, and no Republican has triumphed in the state for over half a century, Trump and his running mate JD Vance have intensified their campaign efforts there.
