Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will be the running mate of current Vice President Kamala Harris, the US Democrats have announced, with two weeks still to go before the party’s convention.
Walz’s nomination was leaked to the media earlier on Tuesday, sinking the hopes of the faction urging the choice of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
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“I am proud to announce that I’ve asked TimWalz to be my running mate,” Harris said on X (formerly Twitter). “As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he’s delivered for working families like his. It’s great to have him on the team. Now let’s get to work.”
Walz responded by saying it was “the honor of a lifetime” to join the campaign.
“Vice President Harris is showing us the politics of what’s possible. It reminds me a bit of the first day of school. So, let’s get this done, folks!” he said.
President Joe Biden, who last month bowed out of the campaign in favor of Harris, hailed the choice of Walz as “a great decision.”
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On his personal X account – the same venue where he announced his withdrawal – Biden praised Walz as “a strong, principled, and effective leader” and noted he was the highest-ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in the US Congress. The Harris-Walz ticket “will ensure that America continues to lead the world and play its role as the indispensable nation,” Biden added.
Former President Barack Obama also endorsed Walz as the running mate for Harris.