To many following this year’s unusually popular Veepstakes, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota seemed as if he came out of nowhere as a Vice Presidential pick for Kamala Harris. To left-leaning Minnesotans like myself, Walz is a local treasure because of his progressive policies like free meals for all K-12 Minnesotan students, his action in codifying abortion rights in the state constitution, and his general “Minnesota Dad” demeanor that is so lovable. Vice President Kamala Harris’s new running mate has aided in energizing the campaign, especially with young voters, and has proven to be a great pick.
At first glance, strategically, this choice initially seemed unlikely. Minnesota is not a battleground state in this election, while the other two choices, Josh Shapiro (PA) and Mark Kelly (AZ), are in key battleground states that are vital to the election. Since Biden dropped out of the race, Harris has done significantly better in the polls than Biden was. Pennsylvania and Arizona both jumped three percent in favorability of Harris, but the margins are extremely tight at 48% for Harris and Trump in both polls. Shapiro and Kelly, both moderate democrats, were seemingly safe choices for the pick. For Walz, both the further left-leaning policies he supports and the fact that he comes from a non-battleground state made him a riskier pick– but he has proven to reach a demographic that is essential to the election. Since Walz was announced as Harris’s running mate, she has taken the lead in Wisconsin and Michigan by 2%, just within a week of the announcement.
A veteran, schoolteacher, and football coach, Walz’s unique life experience for someone in politics makes him stand out in a way that is attractive to the average American. According to The Economist, Walz is “the first non-lawyer to be on the Democratic ticket since 1980.” For undecided and rural voters all across the country, his life experiences speak much louder to them than Shapiro, who had the typical politician’s path from law to government. Walz’s demeanor as approachable and positive has struck the hearts and minds of voters who, just a month ago, were expecting to have to vote for a Presidential candidate who was not energizing and was predicted to lose the election.
Walz’s wide reach of many different demographics has proven to be a great choice for the VP pick. One of the strongest demographics he has been able to reach has been targeted at young voters, with assistance from his 22-year-old daughter’s social media expertise as well as Kamala Harris’s notoriously Gen-Z approach to advertising. Walz calling Republican candidates “weird” resonated with younger voters who agree that the Republican party has gone too far with far-right policy making. The infamous video of him on the “Slingshot” ride with his daughter creates a personable image of him, one that many young people like to see from an older candidate, which is youthful and exuberant energy.
Another interesting demographic that Walz is able to reach is Veteran voters. Trump lacks military service and, according to the Atlantic, called Americans who died in military service “Losers” and “Suckers.” He also is an alleged draft dodger, according to the New York Times. JD Vance also recently denounced Walz’s military experience, trying to frame it as a political gain strategy. This, of course, will leave a bad taste in the mouths of many Veterans, especially those who are undecided or lean left.
Walz’s life experience also makes him popular among working-class families, especially in states like Minnesota. He owns no stocks or bonds and, for a long time, lived on a teacher’s salary. He implemented a 12 to 20-week paid family and medical leave program, a huge benefit to working families who need it. These groups that support Walz are necessary for the election, and if Harris were to select Shapiro or Kelly, it is unclear whether they would have captured those important demographics of voters in exchange for a non-guaranteed win in Pennsylvania or Arizona.
Walz’s ability to enact progressive policies in the state of Minnesota also makes him a very attractive candidate. The tangible effects of his work were visible in Minnesota, as it has become a safe haven for women in the Midwest to be able to access abortion care, while the surrounding states created limitations after Roe v. Wade was overturned. I witnessed firsthand the positive change the free breakfast and lunch program had in Minnesota schools. The program was passed during my junior year of high school, and the positive impact was heartwarming. All of my classmates were fed through this program, nobody being denied their school lunch because of a late payment or forgotten lunch money.
Walz’s ability to get things done no doubt gives Democrat voters a boost of confidence in Walz’s capability as a leader. Having a progressive candidate who frequently passes progressive policies is a rarity, the only candidate to have similar efficacy has been Bernie Sanders, also beloved by the young voter population. There is no doubt his popularity has created an exciting turn in the election since Biden stepped down. Footage from rallies all across the country shows a vibrant, fun, and highly packed stadium of eager voters. Harris coining the campaign slogan “We are not going back” reflects the new energy coming from the Harris-Walz campaign.
Though he is a great candidate in many ways, he also has weaknesses that the Republican party is capitalizing on as he begins his campaign. A 1995 DUI arrest and his slow response after the George Floyd protests became destructive in Minneapolis have been negative marks that his opponents have capitalized on. Additionally, he is not very well known nationally yet, so the campaign is missing out on name notoriety with him as the pick. He has also been labeled as “too progressive” by some, who are worried that the moderate vote will be turned away from Walz’s progressive policies.
Even with the mistakes he has made, the accountability he has taken for them and his handling of the criticism thrown his way has been relatively good. On the DUI charge from 1995, he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper in 2018 that the arrest was a gut-check moment for him, and he gave up alcohol since that day. Overall, his accountability for his mistake is a refreshing perspective from a politician, though it will still be used against him in the scope of the campaign.
In conclusion, as a young Minnesota voter, I am so excited to vote in this election. Since Biden stepped down, my hope for the election has completely turned around, like many other Democratic voters. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are a breath of fresh air for the party, and I hope that Minnesota will have the chance to share Walz with the rest of America!
Short n’ Sweet
