Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz
Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee in the 2024 presidential election, this morning (Tuesday, Aug. 6) announced that she has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.
A press release from the Harris campaign headquarters noted that Harris and Walz would “fight for a future that strengthens our democracy, protects reproductive freedom and ensures every person has the opportunity to not just get by, but to get ahead.”
Harris, in a written statement in the press release, said she is proud to Have Walz as a running mate. “One of the things that stood out to me about Tim is how his convictions on fighting for middle class families run deep,” Harris’ statement continued. “It’s personal. As a governor, a coach, a teacher and a veteran, he’s delivered for working families like his own. We are going to build a great partnership.
“We start out as underdogs but I believe together, we can win this election,” the vice president said.
LGBTQ organizations are already responding with praise for Walz and for Harris’ decision to choose him as a running mate.
Sayre E. Reece, vice president of the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, said, “The National LGBTQ Action Fund expected a strategic and bold choice as a strong addition to the ticket as a vice presidential candidate. In Gov. Walz we have gotten both. We applaud Vice President Harris’ decision and fully support the Harris/Walz ticket — in fact, you could call this a ‘golden ticket.’”
Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said, “There’s no doubt — Kamala Harris has electrified the nation and breathed new hope into the race. Her pick of Gov. Walz sends a message that a Harris-Walz administration will be committed to advancing equality and justice for all.”
And GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis said Harris’ choice of Walz “underscores a longstanding commitment to the equality, prosperity, and safety of all Americans, including and especially for LGBTQ people. Gov. Walz has a proven record of including and protecting LGBTQ people and the fundamental freedoms all Americans treasure.”
The Task Force Action Fund said Walz “has been a steadfast ally and advocate for the LGBTQ community, including support for trans affirming care, bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom and gun control. As Governor, Walz signed a ban on so-called ‘conversion therapy’ into law, ending the harmful and cruel practice that has cost LGBTQ people their dignity and their lives. Under Walz’s leadership, Minnesota is both a ‘trans sanctuary’ and immigration sanctuary state.”
The Harris Campaign press release described Walz as “a champion for working families” who, in his two terms as governor, has “cut taxes for working families, lowered the cost of insulin and protected women’s right to choose.”
The press release notes that, as governor, Walz lowered the cost of insulin to $35 per month for many Minnesotans, eliminated junk fees and signed paid leave into law so that parents can take care of sick family without losing their job.
He “made Minnesota the first state to pass a law codifying abortion rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe,” funded Minnesota police departments and established universal background checks for gun purchases. He also worked across the aisle to pass a bipartisan infrastructure package.
Walz grew up working on his family farm then enlisted in the Army National Guard when he turned 17. During his 24 years of National Guard service, he specialized in heavy artillery and retired as the highest-ranking enlisted National Guard soldier in southern Minnesota.
Walz is a gun owner, an “avid pheasant hunter” and “a supporter of the Second Amendment, and he, like millions of gun owners, believes that Congress must do more to tackle gun violence in our communities,” according to the Harris Campaign press release .
Walze represented Minnesota’s conservative-leaning First Congressional District for six terms, and was the ranking member on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, where he passed legislation to help stem veterans’ suicides.
Walz taught high school for two decades and met his wife, Gwen, teaching high school in Nebraska before moving to Gwen’s home state of Minnesota. They have two children, Hope and Gus.
— Tammye Nash
