Tim Walz is probably not probably the most recognisable identify within the politics of america.
However from Tuesday onwards, the Minnesota governor might be a number one determine within the presidential marketing campaign as Vice President Kamala Harris’s Democratic working mate.
Harris, who has secured her occasion’s nomination for the November 5 polls, chosen Walz as her VP decide, saying she was “proud” of her selection.
“As a governor, a coach, a trainer, and a veteran, he’s delivered for working households like his. It’s nice to have him on the crew,” Harris posted on X.
Walz stated it was the “honour of a lifetime” to be Harris’s vice presidential decide.
“I’m all in. It jogs my memory a little bit of the primary day of faculty. So, let’s get this finished, people!” he posted on X.
If Harris defeats Republican nominee Donald Trump within the November polls, Walz might be a heartbeat away from the US presidency.
Whereas vice presidents’ official duties are restricted, they function potential heirs and companions in governing on the White Home. As working mates, they’re high surrogates for the marketing campaign.
So who’s Walz and the place does he stand on the problems driving the US election?
Walz, 60, has each govt and legislative experiences.
He was first elected governor of Minnesota in 2018 and gained a second time period 4 years later. Regardless of the state not being a conventional Democratic stronghold, Walz gained each races with ease.
Previous to his gubernatorial tenure, Walz served within the US Home of Representatives for 12 years, representing a largely rural district in southern Minnesota.
Walz can be a US navy veteran, having served within the Military Nationwide Guard for twenty-four years after becoming a member of it on the age of 17. Earlier than working for Congress, he labored as a college trainer.
On coverage, the governor has been lauded by some progressives for having the ability to advance left-wing priorities in a swing state.
Over the previous six years, Walz has permitted programmes that might cowl faculty tuition for low-income college students, carried out free breakfast and lunch at public faculties, legalised leisure marijuana for adults and expanded protections for staff.
Walz can be seen as a powerful defender of abortion rights. Furthermore, he has backed many local weather initiatives, together with a legislation to transition Minnesota to carbon-free electrical energy by 2040.
Whereas Republicans are prone to argue that Walz’s file is simply too liberal, the governor has not shied away from standing by his insurance policies.
Requested about being labelled a “massive authorities liberal”, Walz instructed CNN final month, “What a monster! Youngsters are consuming and having full bellies to allow them to go study, and girls are making their very own healthcare selections, and we’re a high 5 enterprise state, and we additionally rank within the high three in happiness.”
“If that’s the place they need to label me, I’m very happy to take the label,” he added.
Jennifer Victor, a political science professor at George Mason College, instructed Al Jazeera Walz is an “fascinating selection”, noting that many Individuals might not have heard of him earlier than Tuesday.
Victor stated Walz has a relatable “Midwestern vibe”. “Evidently maybe Harris has chosen him for these constructive attributes that she thinks might make the ticket extra interesting to swing voters,” she stated.
She highlighted Walz’s criticism of Republicans as “bizarre”, reasonably than a mortal risk to democracy.
“This was not a line of framing that we had seen Democrats efficiently use towards Republicans prior to now, and Walz delivered it in a kind of personable, softer method that I feel simply resonated with extra folks,” she stated.
Past home coverage, the US method to the battle in Gaza and hovering tensions within the Center East is proving to be a distinguished difficulty on this election cycle.
Whereas governors don’t dictate international coverage, Walz has expressed assist for Israel and ordered the flags at half-staff in solidarity with the US ally after Hamas’s October 7 assault.
Whereas serving in Congress, Walz had additionally taken pro-Israel positions.
“Israel is our truest and closest ally within the area, with a dedication to values of non-public freedoms and liberties, surrounded by a reasonably powerful neighborhood,” he had stated in 2010.
However in March, after almost 19 p.c of Democratic voters in Minnesota forged “uncommitted” votes to protest President Joe Biden’s unconditional assist for Israel, Walz advised that he understands the rising frustration with the US method.
He stated folks who voted “uncommitted” have “each proper” to be heard.
“These people are asking for a change in course. They’re asking for extra stress to be placed on,” Walz instructed MPR Information at the moment.
“Persons are annoyed, but it surely bodes effectively for me that they’re actively engaged to exit and forged his vote and ask for change,” he stated.
