Anika Begay
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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is set to deliver his first speech as Vice President Kamala Harris’s new campaign coordinator at a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
“I couldn’t be more proud to be on this list and to help make Kamala Harris the next president of the United States,” Walz plans to say, according to excerpts from his speech. “She brings joy to everything she does.”
Walz will also cite his Midwestern background, which Democrats see as an advantage to the candidacy, potentially attracting rural voters.
“I was born in West Point, Nebraska, and grew up in Butte, a town of 400 where community was a way of life,” Walz said. “Growing up, I spent summers working on the family farm. My mom and dad taught us to be generous to our neighbors and work for the common good.”
The Pennsylvania rally is the first joint public appearance for the new Harris-Walz duo, which the campaign announced Tuesday morning.
In the hours that followed, the campaign launched new Harris-Walz merchandise, several advertisements featuring the new name on the ticket, and social media statements.
The campaign said it raised $10 million in donations after Walz’s announcement, a drop in the bucket compared to the $310 million the campaign raised in July alone.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz introduces Democratic presidential candidate Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) during a campaign rally on First Avenue on January 17, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Stephen Maturen | Getty Images
Over the past two weeks, Walz has been undergoing an accelerated selection process for vice president, alongside other candidates such as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
Shapiro, who is reportedly the second-strongest candidate, joined the Harris-Walz rally in his home state on Tuesday night and gave a stirring speech endorsing the candidacy, despite ultimately not being chosen for the vice presidential job.
“I will work hard to make sure that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz become the next leaders of the United States of America,” Shapiro shouted to an excited crowd. “Tim Walz is a great patriot. I will tell you another thing: Tim Walz is a dear friend.”
Harris’s decision on her running mate marked the start of a weeks-long frenzy to shake up the Democratic ticket after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race following his disappointing debate performance in June against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
