By STEVE KARNOWSKI and JOHN HANNA Related Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her operating mate in her bid for the White Home. The 60-year-old Democrat and navy veteran rose to the forefront with a collection of plain-spoken tv appearances within the days after President Joe Biden determined to not search a second time period. He has made his state a bastion of liberal coverage and, this yr, one of many few states to protect fans shopping for tickets on-line for Taylor Swift live shows and different dwell occasions.

Some issues to learn about Walz:

Walz comes from rural America

It will be arduous to discover a extra vivid consultant of the American heartland than Walz. Born in West Level, Nebraska, a neighborhood of about 3,500 folks northwest of Omaha, Walz joined the Military Nationwide Guard and have become a trainer in Nebraska.

He and his spouse moved to Mankato in southern Minnesota within the Nineteen Nineties. That’s the place he taught social research and coached soccer at Mankato West Excessive Faculty, together with for the 1999 workforce that received the primary of the college’s 4 state championships. He nonetheless factors to his union membership there.

Walz served 24 years within the Military Nationwide Guard, rising to command sergeant main, one of many highest enlisted ranks within the navy, though he didn’t full all of the coaching earlier than he retired so his rank for advantages functions was set at grasp sergeant.

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He has a confirmed capability to attach with conservative voters

In his first race for Congress, Walz upset a Republican incumbent. That was in 2006, when he received in a largely rural, southern Minnesota congressional district towards six-term Rep. Gil Gutknecht. Walz capitalized on voter anger with then-President George W. Bush and the Iraq battle.

Throughout six phrases within the U.S. Home, Walz championed veterans’ points.

He’s additionally proven a down-to-earth aspect, partly by social media video posts together with his daughter, Hope. One last fall confirmed them attempting a Minnesota State Honest journey, “The Slingshot,” after they bantered about honest meals and her being a vegetarian.

He may assist the ticket in key Midwestern states

Whereas Walz isn’t from one of many essential “blue wall” states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, the place each side imagine they should win, he’s proper subsequent door. He additionally may make sure that Minnesota stays within the palms of Democrats.

That’s necessary as a result of former President Donald Trump has portrayed Minnesota as being in play this yr, although the state hasn’t elected a Republican to statewide workplace since 2006. A GOP presidential candidate hasn’t carried the state since President Richard Nixon’s landslide in 1972, however Trump has already campaigned there.

When Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton determined to not search a 3rd time period in 2018, Walz campaigned and received the workplace on a “One Minnesota” theme.

Walz additionally speaks comfortably about points that matter to voters within the Rust Belt. He’s been a champion of Democratic causes, together with union organizing, staff’ rights and a $15-an-hour minimal wage.

He has expertise with divided authorities

In his first time period as governor, Walz confronted a Legislature break up between a Democratic-led Home and a Republican-controlled Senate that resisted his proposals to make use of larger taxes to spice up cash for faculties, well being care and roads. However he and lawmakers brokered compromises that made the state’s divided authorities still seem productive.




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