Nevada Democrats tout Harris VP pick Tim Walz’s experience, Midwestern roots

Nevada Democrats praised the pick of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz by Vice President Kamala Harris to be her presidential running mate, saying Walz’s experience and Midwestern ties are a great addition to the campaign against former President Donald Trump.

Walz, 60, served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives before becoming Minnesota’s governor in 2019. He was previously a schoolteacher, football coach and union member.

Walz is credited with securing free school meals for students, strengthening reproductive freedom, cutting taxes for the middle class and expanding paid leave for Minnesota workers, according to his office’s website.

Harris highlighted Walz’s background in announcing her pick, specifically mentioning his connection with middle-class families.

“He served as both the football coach and the advisor of the Gay-Straight Alliance. I share this background both because it’s impressive in its own right, and because you see in no uncertain terms how it informs his record,” Harris wrote in an Instagram post.

Nevada State Democratic Party Chair Daniele Monroe-Moreno said Harris, who has served alongside President Joe Biden, “knows what it takes to be a good partner in government.”

“Her selection of Gov. Tim Walz with his background in education, military service and leadership as governor and former member of Congress is a strong statement to continue building unity across the United States,” Monroe-Moreno said in a statement. “The road to the White House leads through Nevada, and the Silver State is uniquely equipped to deliver the White House for Vice President Harris.”

Walz will immediately join Harris at campaign events, including on Saturday in Las Vegas. He’ll be greeted here by members of Nevada's federal delegation — all members of Congress from Southern Nevada are Democrats — eager to support the campaign.

“Tim Walz has the proven record and experience to serve as our next vice president,” Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said in a post on X. “I know we can count on him to help Kamala Harris create opportunities for working families, lower costs and defend women’s freedoms.”

U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., who is on the ballot against Republican challenger Sam Brown, said in a post on X that she was looking forward to welcoming Walz to Nevada.

“(Walz) has served our country in the Army National Guard, in the classroom, in Congress and as governor of Minnesota. He’ll be a strong running mate,” Rosen said.

U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., joined his colleagues in applauding Harris’ selection, recalling his time serving with Walz in the U.S. House.

“He has always been a champion for working families, unions and small businesses. Tim’s been an advocate for veterans leading the House Veterans Affairs committee, and a voice for farmers and rural America,” Horsford said in a statement. “And as a gun owner, he knows that we must do more to tackle gun violence in our communities. I look forward to working and campaigning with Gov. Walz as we head toward Nov. 5.”

Walz also served in the U.S. House with Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., who posted “he is a champion for working families and he definitely isn’t weird.”

Rep. Susie Lee also highlighted Walz's accomplishments, saying he was one of the most bipartisan Congress members.

“As someone who represents a competitive district, I have great respect for Governor Walz’s track record of winning tough elections and delivering common sense solutions," Rep. Lee wrote in a statement.

The word “weird” has been widely used by Democrats to describe Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, including by Waltz.

Republicans were immediately critical of the pick, saying Walz mismanaged pandemic programs in Minnesota and didn’t do enough during the unrest following the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020.

Karoline Leavitt, press secretary for the Trump campaign, called Walz “a dangerously liberal extremist.”

Harris’ selection comes weeks ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where delegates typically cast ballots for the party’s nominee. This year, the party chose to host a voting session online, where Harris on Monday secured the official nomination.