Kamala Harris Chooses Tim Walz as Vice President for 2024 Election.

Vice President Kamala Harris has made the significant decision to choose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice presidential running mate, according to three sources informed by CBS News. This bold move involves pairing up with a Midwestern progressive figure to form a formidable ticket heading into the upcoming November election. The news of this selection follows President Biden’s cessation of his reelection campaign, which prompted the Democratic Party to swiftly unite around Vice President Harris.

Harris and Walz will be seen making appearances in all seven battleground states in the forthcoming days, commencing with a scheduled event in Philadelphia on Tuesday, marking Walz’s premier outing as Harris’ running mate.

Being a prominent figure with a background in advocating for rural communities and championing progressive agendas, Walz emerged as a standout nominee among a pool of potential running mates, which included notable figures like Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky.

Walz, the well-liked two-term governor of Minnesota, is expected to bolster Harris’ backing in crucial Midwestern states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. These states, also known as the Midwestern “blue wall” states, have traditionally supported Democratic candidates but under the influence of Donald Trump, voted Republican in the 2016 election. Notably, President Biden successfully claimed them back in the 2020 election, signifying the pivotal role these battleground states play in Harris’ prospects of clinching the White House in November.

Despite Trump’s breach in the blue wall nearly a decade ago, Minnesota has maintained its allegiance to the Democratic camp by a narrow margin. The state stands distinguished for not having voted for a Republican candidate since 1972.

Walz, foreseeing a tight presidential contest in Minnesota, expressed his belief in Trump facing defeat for the third consecutive time. While Trump has vocalized his aspirations of securing a win in the state during his recent campaign visits, Walz and Harris’ joint campaign efforts are poised to offset this possibility.

An indication of Walz’s increasing prominence in the vice presidential contender selection process is the resonance of an attack line against Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, which was initially debuted by Walz, branding them as “weird.”

Turning the spotlight on Walz’s journey and background, the Nebraska native, aged 60, embarked on a career in the Army National Guard post his high school graduation, accumulating 24 years of service inclusive of domestic and overseas deployments. Following his stint in the military, he devoted a year to teaching high school in China after completing his education at Chadron State College in 1989.

Upon his return to the United States, Walz initiated his teaching career in Nebraska before relocating to Minnesota in 1996, his spouse’s hometown. His teaching tenure at Mankato West High School was coupled with his role as the football team’s coach.

Walz transitioned into the political realm in 2006, securing a seat in the House of Representatives to represent a primarily rural district bordering Iowa, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. He continued his legislative journey until 2019, marking the genesis of his gubernatorial term in Minnesota. Reaffirming his position in 2022 signified the public’s endorsement of his governance.

During his initial term as governor, Walz encountered substantial criticism from Republican adversaries concerning his management of the pandemic and the ensuing unrest following the tragic demise of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. Despite these challenges, Walz, backed by a Democratic majority in both legislative chambers during his second term, oversaw the realization of several progressive milestones. These encompassed safeguarding abortion rights and gender-affirming healthcare, legalization of recreational marijuana, imposition of limits on gun accessibility, provision of universal school meal programs, and expansion of paid family leave policies.

Should Harris and Walz secure triumphant victory and claim the White House, Walz would stand as the third vice president hailed from Minnesota, following the legacies of Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale.