The choice of Minnesota governor Tim Walz sends mixed messages
Will Kamala Harris’s Choice for Vice President Impact the Race? Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate for the upcoming November election. While vice-presidential picks rarely sway the outcome of a U.S. election, a poor choice—such as John McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin in 2008—can certainly harm a campaign.
Governor Walz’s candidacy could be pivotal for Harris, particularly in the context of Minnesota, a state the Democrats must retain to secure the White House. The broader Midwest region, where the Trump campaign is showing strong performance, is a critical battleground.
Harris is likely counting on Walz to appeal to the white working-class voters. Walz, a former National Guard member with a background in blue-collar jobs, is a committed gun owner and has previously represented a traditionally Republican district in Congress.
However, there are aspects of Walz’s record that might alienate conservative and moderate voters. During the 2020 unrest in Minneapolis following George Floyd’s death, Walz, who was governor at the time, took three days to deploy the National Guard as the city experienced significant rioting and looting, resulting in millions of dollars in damages.
Harris’s choice of Walz comes despite strong speculation that Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, would be selected. Shapiro would have been the first Jewish vice-president if elected. Although Shapiro’s views on Israel are aligned with mainstream American perspectives, one might question whether his omission was influenced by a strategic focus on votes related to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
