How Harris landed on Walz as VP

Vice President Harris had no idea she was with the man who would become her running mate when she visited a women’s reproductive health clinic in Minnesota in March to underscore the Biden administration’s commitment to abortion rights.

It was a historic visit, marking the first time a sitting president or vice president had visited such a clinic. The trip came shortly after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed a bill codifying the protections of Roe v. Wade in Minnesota.

“I am here at this health clinic to uplift the work that is happening here, in Minnesota, as an example of what true leadership looks like,” said Harris, who had become the administration’s biggest advocate of abortion rights, at the time.

An ally of the vice president said the Minnesota governor made a good initial impression during the visit.

“He’s not only affable, he’s smart, and they jibe not only on policy, but on vision,” the ally said. 

Harris still didn’t know too much about Walz when the two met last weekend when they sat for an interview on joining her presidential ticket. But after the one-on-one, Harris grew fond of Walz, allies say. 

“They got along nicely, and that matters,” a source close to Harris’s orbit said, adding the vice president “just dug him.”

Harris thought Walz’s background as a veteran and former Social Studies teacher who also liked to hunt would be a good addition for the ticket. Democrats are anxious to speak to blue-collar white men, particularly those without a college degree that gravitated toward former President Trump in previous elections. 

“I tried to teach my students what small-town Nebraska taught me,” Walz said in a video released Tuesday after his selection. “Respect, compromise, service to country. And so when I went into government, that’s what I carried with me.”

Harris also appreciated Walz’s economic policies, particularly his programs to provide paid leave and a statewide child tax credit. And she appreciated his policies on gun safety. 

“There are elements of all of these policies that she would like to bring to the forefront nationally,” one ally said. 

Privately, Harris and her team were hearing from House Democrats who had worked alongside Walz and were quietly lobbying for his selection. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was also supportive of Walz, a source said. 

Harris and her team gave serious consideration to popular Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. But there were potential landmines with the pick, including the fact the war in Gaza has divided the Democratic Party. 

“He might have been the better pick, honestly,” said one source close to Harris’s advisers, noting Shapiro represents a swing state with 19 electoral votes.

“But no one wants that tension coming out of the last month and all the turmoil around Biden and heading into the convention. He would have been the bolder pick. But the sentiment around him is pretty toxic.”

There was also the impression by some Democrats that Shapiro — who is known to have big political ambitions — could try to undermine Harris. “She wanted someone who would replicate what she has with President Biden,” the first ally said. 

Harris’s team felt like Walz fell into that category. 

“He’s apple pie,” said one longtime Harris donor, drawing comparisons to Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) who was selected by Hillary Clinton to be her running mate in 2016.

“Ultimately he does no harm. But I also don’t know how it helps her. That’s the big question I think some people have.”

After Walz was announced as Harris’s running mate Tuesday, Democrats appeared united on the pick, with the selection drawing praise from across the party. Even Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.), who became an independent earlier this year, offered his blessing, saying Walz would “help bring our country closer together and bring balance back to Democratic Party.”

Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons — who worked for Harris as her communications director until last year — said Walz is a reliable pick for Harris. 

“He’s someone everyone I talk to feels comfortable with,” Simmons said. “If she is going to be tough and aggressive with Trump, he will be a little more comforting for voters who may be looking for some familiarity in this ticket. 

“He’ll be very familiar to voters in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania,” Simmons said, referring to three must-win states for Harris.