Vice President Kamala Harris has named her running mate.
She chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, according to the Associated Press and CNN.
The announcement comes just over a week before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Harris and Walz will kick off their campaign with a rally in Philadelphia, followed by a tour of swing states.
Walz, a two-term Minnesota governor and former congressman, has gained popularity among progressives for his policies and his trend of calling Republican politicians “weird.”
The decision came on a condensed timeline after President Joe Biden announced last month that he would not seek re-election and quickly endorsed Harris.
“Thrilled about the possibility,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. “Governor Walz is a team player and a listener, and I’ve been very pleased with how his office has engaged with the AG’s office over the years.”
With less than 100 days until the November election, the veepstakes became a mini-primary featuring candidates from various Democratic Party factions. The final contenders included Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.
On Monday evening, Dan Green, a Minneapolis communications consultant, posted a photo of several Black Chevy Suburbans in front of Walz’s residence, suggesting he might be Harris’s choice.
Kelly, Walz, and Shapiro all interviewed at Harris’s residence in Washington, DC, on Sunday.
The process involved intense speculation, especially when Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker posted a video urging support for “Josh Shapiro for vice president.” However, The Independent learned that Parker’s video was meant to express support for Shapiro as one of Harris’ potential choices.
Harris and Walz will tour battleground states this week, starting in Pennsylvania and then heading to Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada.
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