Breaking News: Kamala Harris Chooses Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for Vice President – Essence

Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice presidential running mate. The Midwest Democrat is a former highschool teacher and military veteran who is predicted to appeal to conservative voters.

Walz emerged because the frontrunner from a crowd of shortlisted candidates that included Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, based on a source NBC News“Harris called unsuccessful candidates Tuesday morning.”

Following the announcement, progressive groups and unions appeared pleased with Harris’ decision. Becky Pringle, president National Education Associationissued an announcement: “Governor Walz is known as the ‘Education Governor’ because he has been a staunch defender of public school students and teachers and an ally of working families and unions.”

During his term as leader MinnesotaWalz “has helped pass a long list of progressive policy priorities in Minnesota that could win over voters in swing states in the Midwest. He has said he would help Democrats push for expanded reproductive health, voting rights and workers’ rights at the federal level if elected.”

Walz began his political profession in 2006, running for Congress in a Republican-leaning district and ultimately defeated the incumbent governor, a position he held until winning the governor’s race in 2018 and 2022. Over the past 12 months, Walz, who’s head of the Democratic Governors Association, has been lively within the Biden and Harris campaigns.

He became a part of a nationwide discussion after considered one of his videos was viral on TV — “these guys are just weird,” referring to former President Donald Trump and vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance. Walz is understood for railing against the Republican Party, in addition to for showcasing his record and touting the Democrats’ plan for governing if he’s reelected to the White House.

The 60-12 months-old grew up in a small town in Nebraskawhich also needs to help secure rural votes. “The golden rule that keeps small towns going, that keeps us from being at each other’s throats all the time in a small town, is: Mind your own damn business,” Walz said.

According to confidential sources with knowledge of the matter selection To make this difficult decision, “the vice president sought a managing partner with whom she got along well and with whom she could envision working well for the next four to eight years.”

“She wanted someone who wouldn’t challenge her leadership, who could potentially expand the Democratic map and who could deftly handle GOP attacks,” the sources said. NBC News.

“Putting Walz on the ticket could help Democrats keep the state’s 10 electoral votes and strengthen the party more broadly in the Midwest. No Republican has won a statewide race in Minnesota since Tim Pawlenty was reelected governor in 2006, but GOP candidates for attorney general and state auditor have come close in 2022,” local news outlet WCVB reports.

While the news has only been confirmed by sources near the campaign, Harris is predicted to issue an official statement soon confirming that Waltz as a candidate for vp.