Axios

Vice President Kamala Harris was joined by her newly announced running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, on the campaign trail in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

The big picture: In their first campaign appearance together, the pair visited Pennsylvania, a key swing state in the 2024 presidential race.

Republicans are already attacking Kamala Harris' new running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, over his response to the violence that erupted in his state after the 2020 Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd.

Why it matters: Walz's ascension to the 2024 ticket is forcing a reexamination of how he responded to the crisis that saw parts of the city burn for three days.

Democrats from across the party's political spectrum are thrilled with Vice President Kamala Harris' choice for running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

• Republicans are thrilled she didn't choose the finalist they feared most: Pennsylvania's popular governor, Josh Shapiro.

Why it matters: Until Harris' one-on-one interviews this weekend, Shapiro was widely considered to be the leading VP contender because of his unique crossover appeal in Pennsylvania, the most important swing state on the map.

Members of the cybersecurity community will express support for Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign at a fundraiser on the sidelines of two major conferences this week.

Why it matters: This is the first major presidential fundraising event hosted by and for the cybersecurity industry this election cycle.

Harvard must face a lawsuit over campus antisemitism after a federal judge on Tuesday denied its motion to dismiss the litigation.

The big picture: Jewish students sued the university, alleging it ignored discrimination amid campus response to and protests of the Israel-Hamas war.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was announced Tuesday as Vice President Kamala Harris' 2024 running mate, and Trump's pick for No. 2, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), have one thing in common: Both served in the U.S. military.

Why it matters: Both tickets will likely seek to capitalize on their veep's military background to resonate with veteran voters, notably as national security remains a top issue of the election as wars in Ukraine and Gaza wage on.

While his "weird" quip targeting Republicans launched him into the national zeitgeist last month, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his supporters have been quietly building his national profile for over a year.

The big picture: After a first term defined by divided government, the COVID pandemic, and fallout over the murder of George Floyd, voters sent Walz back to the State Capitol in 2022 with Democratic majorities in both chambers.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz went viral weeks ago after dubbing former President Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), "just weird" during an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." He quickly ascended on Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate shortlist.

Why it matters: Walz, now Harris' VP pick, helped manifest Democrats' 2024 buzz word. His plainspoken manner of talking about Trump made him an effective messenger for the campaign, which likely hopes Walz will boost the ticket's appeal with rural voters.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) quietly emerged as a winner of his party's vice presidential sweepstakes.

Why it matters: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz being tapped as the Democratic vice presidential nominee has handed Schumer a trio of long-term Senate wins.

Just last year, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a package of legislation considered one of the most sweeping pro-worker laws seen in the U.S. in decades.

The big picture: The battle over the labor vote is key to capturing the White House in November and Walz's selection as Kamala Harris' vice president seems aimed right at that constituency.

Many Republicans expressed surprise and relief at the choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, readying renewed "radical" liberal attacks.

Why it matters: Republicans saw Walz as the easier target for them as they try to regain momentum after a rough few weeks for the GOP (and their own VP candidate.)

Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate in the 2024 election, the campaign announced on Tuesday.

Why it matters: Walz, a popular two-term governor in a Midwestern state, could boost Harris' appeal among rural voters, particularly in the "blue wall" states that were key to President Biden's 2020 victory.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz rocketed to a spot on the Democratic presidential ticket with his cable news jabs at "weird" Republicans. Now that he's the VP nominee, his record as governor will come under partisan scrutiny.

Why it matters: Walz has signed a laundry list of progressive policies since becoming governor in 2019. He has also been criticized by Minnesota Republicans for his handling of the protests that followed the police killing of George Floyd in 2020.

Democrats have poured nearly twice as much cash into political ads this cycle ($325 million) compared to Republicans ($181 million), according to the latest projections from AdImpact, a political advertising analysis firm.

Why it matters: Democrats' fundraising lead faced pressure amid party division over President Biden's viability as the party's nominee. But Vice President Kamala Harris' rapid rise and subsequent momentum suggest the party could maintain its advertising edge heading into the general election.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday pledged his support for Vice President Kamala Harris' choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

Why it matters: Shapiro was on Harris' veepstakes shortlist, but she ultimately picked Walz. However, Democrats will still vie to win Shapiro's home state in November in a battleground that could tilt the outcome of the 2024 race.

House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) praised Vice President Kamala Harris' selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, calling him a "heartland of America Democrat."

Why it matters: Pelosi, who remains one of the most important power-brokers in the Democratic Party, challenged Republican claims that Walz represents "the left" and is more radical than the other VP finalists.

Vice President Kamala Harris' move to the top of the Democratic ticket and her choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for VP have brought fresh names onto the presidential ballot.

Why it matters: For nearly 50 years, the ballot had included at least one member of three American political families: Bush, Clinton or Biden.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was officially tapped to be Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate.

Why it matters: Walz brings a consistent progressive voice to the ticket and could help shore up white working-class support in the crucial Midwestern "Blue Wall" swing states.

San Francisco city attorney David Chiu, a longtime friend of Vice President Kamala Harris, launched the first Asians for Harris when she was running for district attorney. Now, he's leading a call to action focused on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) men for her presidential campaign.

Why it matters: AANHPI voters have historically backed Democrats, but there's been a slight shift in recent years. They're often the margin of victory in battleground states and have become a sought-after voting bloc ahead of November.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has — in part — his former congressional colleagues to thank for Vice President Kamala Harris selecting him as her running mate.

Why it matters: A House member from 2007 to 2019, Walz' congressional relationships have manifested into what one senior House Democrat described as "quiet diplomacy" on his behalf.

Two dozen labor unions and two powerhouse progressive advocacy groups were among the Minnesota voices lauding Gov. Tim Walz as a potential running mate for Kamala Harris even before she selected him.

Why it matters: The support illustrates why Walz surged in the veepstakes: many Minnesota progressives view him as the VP choice least likely to divide Democrats — and most likely to excite a wider range of voters.

Billionaire Mike Bloomberg announced Tuesday that his organization is donating $600 million to four historically Black medical schools.

Why it matters: The four institutions are responsible for graduating roughly half of all Black doctors in the country, but are "significantly underfunded" due to discriminatory practices and less federal and state support, Bloomberg Philanthropies said in a press release.

A new campaign seeking to connect with Latino voters is meeting them on the platform where they spend the most time: YouTube.

Why it matters: Latinos spend roughly twice the amount of time on YouTube than other racial and demographic groups do, making it "a new frontier" for messaging with Hispanics, says Emmanuelle Leal-Santillan, a spokesperson for Somos Votantes, one of the groups involved in the effort.

The growing risk of twin calamities — recession and war — is suddenly looming over the U.S. election.

• Neither life-altering event is inevitable. But each could imperil Vice President Kamala Harris' ascendant campaign at a critical moment.

Why it matters: For the next 90 days, Republicans intend to treat Harris as the incumbent. That means saddling her with every crisis consuming the headlines, even when her role as vice president is murky or minimal.