
In 2005, Gov. Tim Walz, who is now Kamala Harris' vice presidential running mate, faced criticism for refusing to drop out of his congressional race despite a potential deployment to Iraq with the Army National Guard. Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who is now Donald Trump's running mate, accused Walz of avoiding service in Iraq by pursuing his political ambitions.
Walz had served in the Army National Guard for 24 years before retiring in 2005. He announced his candidacy for Congress in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District in February 2005 and was successfully elected in November 2006.