Tim Walz rides VP buzz into the national spotlight
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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at a DNC press conference in Milwaukee on July 17. Photo: Jim Vondruska/Getty Images
As Gov. Tim Walz continues his second week in the national spotlight, the chances are growing that he will remain there.
Driving the news: Axios' Hans Nichols scoops that some Kamala Harris donors have concluded she plans to pick a governor as her running mate likely early next week, based on her campaign's advice to Wall Street investors.
- That would leave Walz, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on the shortlist.
Why it matters: Walz would become the first Minnesotan on a major presidential ticket in 40 years, but his ascension would also lead to a shakeup in state leadership.
Catch up quick: The governor's name surfaced as a potential vice presidential candidate last week, and he caught the spotlight in one of his first big TV appearances when he dubbed Donald Trump and J.D. Vance as "weird" guys.
- The viral clip has become a heavily used attack line by Democrats nationally, including by Harris.
- Walz has since appeared on several cable TV shows, been profiled by Politico, and the New York Times, and went on the liberal, high-profile Pod Save America podcast.
What he's saying: Walz told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday that he "would do what is in the best interest of the country" when asked whether he would serve as Harris' running mate.
- He stopped short of confirming if the Harris campaign has sent him vetting materials but added that "being mentioned is certainly an honor."
The other side: Republicans have already gone on the attack against Walz, criticizing him for allowing Minneapolis to burn for three nights amid rioting after George Floyd's murder by police.
- He's also been questioned about taking a liberal turn as governor after representing a more conservative district in Congress. He has signed bills legalizing recreational marijuana and codifying the state right to an abortion.
Reality check: Walz doesn't come from a vital swing state like Shapiro, who could help Harris lock up 19 Electoral College votes in Pennsylvania.
The intrigue: If Walz were to leave his job to assume the vice presidency, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan would be elevated to governor — the first Native American woman to lead a U.S. state.
Between the lines: Senate President Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Minneapolis) would then rise to lieutenant governor, leaving the Senate deadlocked 33-33 until his seat could be backfilled in a special election. (He represents a safe DFL district.)
- "Listen, I simply haven't thought about all of those things because I don't want to be presumptuous in thinking our governor is going to be selected," Champion told Torey last week.
The bottom line: Even if Harris bypasses Walz, the last week has raised his national profile.
- Carleton College political professor Steven Schier told the Pioneer Press that he could see Walz being asked to lead an executive agency in a theoretical Harris administration.