With only 90 days left in the race for presidency, Vice President Kamala Harris has just announced her pick to be her running mate. Minnesota Governor Timothy J. Walz was chosen in what may just be the quickest search for a vice presidential candidate in American history.
Walz considers himself to be a moderate Democrat, and despite his well-known ability to connect to Republicans and other moderates, the Nebraska native has risen to stardom based on his more progressive legislation. Walz is known for his historic efforts regarding education, climate change, and even marijuana.
Here is everything you need to know about him.
He didn’t start his career in politics
Although Walz is known for his 5 years as governor and 12 years as a congressman, Harris’ VP pick wasn’t always interested in politics. In fact, before he became a politician, Walz was a teacher. He spent time teaching abroad before coming back to the states to continue his path educating high schoolers and coaching football, according to his website.
In addition to his role as a teacher, the Minnesota governor also enlisted in the Army National Guard when he was 17 years old. With his diverse background and interests, Walz is an example of the “everyday man,” which makes it easy for him to connect to rural and urban voters alike.
His time in Congress was inspired by his job as a teacher
According to the Minnesota Post, Walz became active in John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign after one of his students was questioned about her own political views.
“Angered” by the student’s treatment, Walz joined Kerry’s campaign, and the following year, he decided to run for Congress. In the 2006 election, Walz beat out a Republican incumbent for the Congress seat and stayed for 12 more years.
His views are more liberal than you think
Even though Walz is a self proclaimed moderate, during his time as governor, the Nebraska native has pushed for more progressive legislation to represent the blue state of Minnesota.
From legalizing cannabis in his state to restoring voting rights for 55,000 formally incarcerated Minnesotans, Walz is clearly not afraid to push progressive agendas. At the same time, Walz is a known veterans’ rights advocate, and at one point, even the National Rifle Association (NRA) gave Walz their support, according to Forbes.
He’s not afraid to call out Trump or Vance
The Minnesota governor recently made news after appearing on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” Walz flat out called GOP nominee Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, “weird.”
Walz went on to say Trump and Vance are “running for the He-Man Women-Haters Club or something.” Clearly not afraid to call out the Trump campaign, Walz’s “weird” remark caught the attention of Trump and his supporters. Since Harris’ VP announcement, a spokesperson from Trump’s campaign called Walz “a dangerously liberal extremist.”
The Harris-Walz campaign is officially set to face Trump and Vance. Trump said he will debate Harris in a formal debate, and now that Walz is a part of the ticket, we might be seeing him go against Vance in a vice presidential debate.