WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Now that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is part of the Democratic ticket, the race is on to define him in the public eye.
Team Harris is emphasizing his experience as a Midwestern leader and educator, but Team Trump is working to frame him as a dangerous liberal extremist.
Minnesota voters gathered outside of Governor Walz’s house on Tuesday morning to celebrate the announcement.
“He’s been a great leader for Minnesota,” voter Ian Gorodisher said.
Now Walz is introducing himself to the rest of America. In a video posted to his X account he talked about his personal history and his goal as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate.
“Respect, compromise, service to country,” Walz said. “We believe in the promise of America, in those values I learned in Nebraska. And we’re ready to fight for them.”
In her announcement Vice President Harris highlighted Walz’s background as a Nebraska native, Midwestern leader, military veteran, high school football coach, and teacher.
Education Minnesota President Denise Specht knows Gov. Walz personally and says he’s a great VP pick.
“Oh my goodness, we are super excited to share our governor with the rest of the country,” Specht said.
She says his list of accomplishments includes giving families child tax credits, implementing universal free meals at schools, and strengthening workers’ rights.
“No other governor has supported educators, working families, and children like our governor has,” Specht said.
Team Trump has a different take. At an event on Tuesday Republican Vice President nominee Senator JD Vance attacked the pick.
“Tim Walz’s record is a joke. He’s been one of the most far left radicals in the entire United States government,” Vance said.
Trump Campaign Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the choice a gift for Republicans.
“Tim Walz may be from the heartland, but he hasn’t voted with the heartland’s values in mind,” Leavitt said.
She says Team Trump is working to prove Walz is not a moderate Midwesterner.
“He is pro-open border, pro-defund the police. He is in support of gender transition surgeries for minors.” Leavitt said.
Supporters of Walz say the critics have it all wrong.
“At the end of the day his policies and the things that he moved forward are helping real people and we all know that,” Specht said.
We could get to see the VP picks go head-to-head. Sen. Vance says he’s open to debating Gov. Walz once he’s the official Democratic nominee.
