We weren't surprised that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris picked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate. The veepstakes had basically come down to him and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) in recent days, and of the two, we think Walz is the more inspired choice. A Midwesterner through and through, Walz is a hunter, a veteran, a former teacher, congressmember, and a two-term governor with executive experience. Walz will be able to effectively speak to the very working class voters whom the Democratic Party has largely failed to attract in recent elections. He will play well in the swing states. He also knows what the party is up against — as we noted last week, it was Walz who first used the word "weird" to sum up Republicans' many, well, weird ideas — especially GOP vice presidential nominee Ohio Senator JD Vance. Now Republican former President Donald Trump, making his third bid for the White House, has had to say that he's not weird. Which, of course, just proves Walz's point.
Then there's the really important part of Walz's resume that speaks to us — he is a staunch ally to the LGBTQ community. From his days in Congress, when he voted for the Matthew Shepard James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and legislation to repeal the military's homophobic "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," to his time as governor of the Gopher State during which Walz has signed LGBTQ-related legislation, he has demonstrated that he cares deeply about the queer community — and more significantly, has the muscle to follow through with proactive results. In 2015, Walz signed an executive order banning conversion therapy for minors in the Gopher State. Last year, he signed a package of bills designed to make the state a refuge for those seeking gender-affirming care and abortions, according to MPR News. He also signed a bill that expanded his executive order on conversion therapy to include vulnerable adults, the outlet reported.
His actions are similar to those of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has signed legislation making the Golden State a refuge for trans people and those seeking reproductive services, among countless other pro-LGBTQ laws.
We see in Walz an effective governing partner for Harris who, according to reports, "clicked" with him more than the other vice presidential contenders. That's important, as the country needs a strong administration that's on the same page.
One of Walz's most significant actions as governor took place last year when he signed legislation providing free breakfast and lunch to every student in schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program, regardless of their family's income. "As a former teacher, I know that providing free breakfast and lunch for our students is one of the best investments we can make to lower costs, support Minnesota's working families, and care for our young learners and the future of our state," Walz stated when he signed the bill. He's absolutely right. Just as impressive were the photos of smiling, happy kids at the signing ceremony, a sharp contrast from when Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the infamous "Don't Say Gay" law in 2022 and was surrounded by kids who didn't know what the heck was going on.
That's exactly the point. In Walz, Democrats have a leader who gets things done for everyone — the middle class, working families, and LGBTQs.
"I know something about that commitment to the people," Walz said in Philadelphia Tuesday during his first appearance with Harris at Temple University after briefly discussing Harris' background as a prosecutor, state attorney general, U.S. senator, and vice president.
"Minnesota's strength comes from our values — our commitment to working together, to seeing past our differences, to lending a helping hand," he continued. "These same values I learned on the family farm and tried to instill in my students, I took to Congress and the state capital, and now, Vice President Harris and I are running to take them to the White House!
"Donald Trump — he sees the world differently," Walz said. "He doesn't know the first thing about service — because he's too busy serving himself."
Walz's record, combined with Harris' accomplishments, means that should they win in November, the country will not go back to the bad old days of Trump's first term — filled with fear and grievance — but instead be propelled forward, as they build on the legacy of President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama before him.
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