Harris picks 'impressive' Walz as running mate

Kamala Harris has named Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, as her running mate ahead of the November election.

- David Smith

The decision ends intense speculation over which candidate Harris, the de facto Democratic nominee for US president, would pick to go up against Donald Trump, the Republican nominee and former president, and his choice for vice-president, the Ohio senator JD Vance.

Walz first ran for office in 2006 in a Republican-leaning congressional district, upsetting the incumbent. He kept the seat until he won the Minnesota governorship in 2018, then again in 2022. Under his leadership, the state has seen significant progressive legislative wins in recent years, including universal school meals, legalised marijuana, abortion protections and gun control measures.

Before he entered public office, he was a school teacher in Mankato, Minnesota, teaching geography to high school students. He also served in the army national guard for 24 years.

In an Instagram post announcing the pick, Harris said: "One of the things that stood out to me about Tim is how his convictions on fighting for middle-class families run deep. It's personal."

She cited his upbringing in Nebraska, and how after his father's death to cancer, his family relied on social security survivor benefits to make ends meet. He used the GI bill to attend college. He coached high school football and advised the high school's gay-straight alliance.

His background is "impressive in its own right", but also informs his governing, she said.

Minnesota Democrats' legislative record played into her choice she noted a law that constitutionally protects access to abortion and one requiring universal background checks for gun purchases.