Vice president Kamala Harris and Governor of Minnesota Tim Walzher new companion, made their first public appearance together at aa rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris holds a campaign rally with newly elected vice presidential running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., August 6, 2024.
Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters
“Since the day I announced my candidacy, I have been searching for a partner who can help build that brighter future,” Harris told the excited crowd. “I have found such a leader: Governor Tim Walz of the great state of Minnesota.”
Harris covered Walz’s middle-class, Midwestern background, spanning his time serving in the Army National Guard to his decades-long career as a high school teacher, during which he coached football and also served as an adviser to the student Gay-Straight Alliance.
Democrats hope that Walz’s biography and approachable demeanor can appeal to rural voters and undecided Americans who may lean more toward the center.
“My promise to you is this: Our campaign will reach everyone, from red states to blue states, from the heartland to the coasts, in rural, urban, suburban and tribal communities,” Harris said, emphasizing the campaign’s strategy of using Walz to expand the Democratic coalition.
“We are campaigning on behalf of all Americans,” she said.
Harris and Walz are up against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
“Some people might say it’s like a varsity versus JV rivalry,” Harris quipped during Tuesday’s rally.
Harris’ campaign officially announced Walz as its vice presidential nominee Tuesday morning, solidifying the Democrat’s position with just 91 days to go until the election.
In the hours that followed, the campaign rolled out new Harris-Walz merchandise, several ads featuring the new name on tickets, and social media statements.
The campaign said it raised $10 million after Walz was announced, just a drop in the bucket compared to $310 million This campaign was carried out in July alone.
Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz appear on stage together during a campaign event at Girard College on August 6, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Andrew Harnik | Getty Images
Over the past two weeks, Walz has undergone a rapid vice presidential vetting process, along with other candidates such as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
Shapiro, widely seen as the second-strongest candidate, attended a Harris-Walz rally in his hometown on Tuesday night and delivered a passionate speech in support of the ticket, despite ultimately being rejected for the vice presidential slot.
“I will work my butt off to make sure we get Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to be the next leaders of the United States,” Shapiro shouted to the excited crowd. “Tim Walz is a great patriot. I’ll tell you this too: Tim Walz is a dear friend.”
The decision to pick Harris as his running mate caps a weeks-long rush to turn things around for Democrats after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race following a disastrous debate performance with Trump in June.
“I launched my campaign for President of the United States just two weeks ago, and things have moved pretty quickly,” Harris said at a rally in Philadelphia, acknowledging that her campaign was moving at a fast pace. “Now we have some work to do. We have to get to the general election and win.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
