Following the announcement of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as the Democratic vice presidential candidate, most reactions from within the party are seemingly positive, ranging from former President Barack Obama, to Senator Joe Manchin to progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
AOC took to X to celebrate Kamala Harris' pick, saying she has made "an excellent decision in Gov. Walz as her running mate." "Together, they will govern effectively, inclusively, and boldly for the American people. They won't back down under tight odds, either - from healthcare to school lunch."
"Let's do this," concludes her message, which reacts to a video of Walz being hugged by a group of children after signing a law guaranteeing free breakfast and lunch for all students in the state.
Vice President Harris made an excellent decision in Gov. Walz as her running mate.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 6, 2024
Together, they will govern effectively, inclusively, and boldly for the American people.
They won’t back down under tight odds, either - from healthcare to school lunch.
Let’s do this 💪🏽 https://t.co/9vttVTC39Z
In a following publication, AOC republished a message recalling that Walz voted against PROMESA, a 2016 bankruptcy law for Puerto Rico, which also set a process to restructure its debt. He also co-authored a bill promoting a consultation process for the island's political future, but was ultimately unfruitful, according to local outlet El Nuevo Día.
Harris announced her decision on Tuesday morning, saying on X that "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," said the Democratic nominee. Both of them are set to go on a campaign tour around several swing states to continue appealing to voters.
Speaking to The Latin Times, political strategist Mike Madrid had said that no pick would drastically change the trajectory of the race, but they could "give you a small advantage in their respective states."
Nonetheless, the two-term governor and current chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, Walz could help Harris in some battleground states like Wisconsin and Michigan. He is well known in Wisconsin as it shares media markets with Minnesota, while Michigan has some economic and cultural similarities with the state he now governs.
Similarly, although he does not come from a traditionally battleground state— Minnesota has supported a Republican presidential candidate only once since 1960— his credentials as a veteran and gun owner who previously represented a Republican-leaning, rural part of Minnesota in Congress could help Harris appeal to working-class White voters who have helped fuel Donald Trump's political career.
Walz has also been openly willing to attack the Trump-Vance ticket, which earned him an endorsement of a coalition of left-leaning groups that touted him as "a credible and respected voice that has a track record of winning over and exciting an electorate, especially the ability to turn out young voters, immigrants, and independents in swing states."
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