Tim Walz Is Harris's running mate radical or moderate?

After Tim Walz was announced as Kamala Harris's pick for running mate, the progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and senator Joe Manchin - a centreright former Democrat - both put out statements praising him, an indication of his appeal across the party. "Dems in disconcerting levels of array," Ocasio-Cortez joked on X.

- Rachel Leingang

In the week since he shot from relative obscurity to Kamala Harris's vice-presidential candidate, camo caps with orange writing have flown off the campaign merch shelves, a nod to the Minnesota governor's dresseddown midwestern attire.

But beyond the appearances, his record in politics shows an evolution - a shift from a moderate Democrat winning over a Republican-leaning district to a governor who delivered a list of progressive policy wins that has his Republican critics fuming.

Is he a progressive? A moderate in progressive clothing? A centrist? Walz was born in the small town of West Point, Nebraska, in 1964, graduating in a class of 25 from a high school in Butte. He enlisted in the army national guard at age 17, serving for 24 years before retiring.

His father died when he was 19. He has said his family relied on social security survivor benefits.

He ended up back in Nebraska at Chadron State College, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1989. He first taught abroad, in China, for a year, then returned to Nebraska.

Walz met his wife, Gwen, also a teacher, and they moved to Mankato, Minnesota, a mid-size town. They have two children, Hope and Gus, and have spoken about using IVF.