In a surprise move, United States Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the November Presidential election.
Walz, a 60-year-old dark horse contender, emerged as the top choice over other prominent figures like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.
Walz’s profile rose significantly last week, particularly after a viral interview where he labeled some Republicans as “weird”, a line of attack later adopted by national Democrats. His liberal credentials and lack of controversy made him a safer choice for Harris, as other contenders faced criticism from certain segments of the left.
Shapiro and Kelly faced backlash from union leaders over their response to pro-Palestinian protests following the Israel-Hamas war. In contrast, Walz’s Midwestern roots make him an attractive choice, as Trump targets the region in his campaign. Despite Biden’s seven-point win in Minnesota in 2020, Trump and his running mate JD Vance are intensifying their efforts to flip the state.
