* AP…
Vice President Kamala Harris picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate on Tuesday. That’s according to three people who spoke to The Associated Press.
In choosing Walz, she’s turning to a Midwestern governor, military veteran and union supporter who helped enact an ambitious Democratic agenda for his state, including sweeping protections for abortion rights and generous aid to families. The people were not authorized to speak publicly about the choice and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
The NYT, CNN and Reuters are all confirming Walz as Harris’ pick.
* NBC…
In picking Walz, who’s in his second term and also served 12 years in Congress, Harris will have as her No. 2 someone with a proven record of winning over white working-class voters in Rust Belt states while also boasting a robustly progressive record.
Democrats will hope that mix of attributes helps a Harris-Walz ticket shore up support in the onetime “blue wall” states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan — longtime Democratic strongholds at the presidential level that Donald Trump flipped in 2016 and Joe Biden flipped back in 2020. This year, they’ve been seen as Biden’s, and now Harris’, most viable path to victory.
* Illinois Playbook…
Gov. JB Pritzker took part in the “Comics for Kamala” fundraiser on Monday alongside Nick Offerman, Ben Stiller, Kathy Griffin and others. The governor kept his humor self-deprecating. “I am a little nervous about being in the mix with all these incredibly funny individuals,” Pritzker said. “I just want you to know I got on because I’m sitting around waiting for my call to be vice president. My phone hasn’t rung for at least a couple of days now, but I’m hoping I get that call.” The event went on to raise more than $460,000.
…Adding… Governor JB Pritzker…
* Governor Pritzker’s statement…
Today, following Vice President Kamala Harris’ selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, Gov. JB Pritzker released the following statement:
“Governor Tim Walz is a proven leader who brings to public service the big heart and hard work of a Midwesterner. His unwavering commitment to improving the lives of working families and to lifting up the most vulnerable is why I’m so excited he will be the Democratic Party’s nominee for Vice President. Tim is a friend and fellow Midwestern governor, and I’ve been proud to serve alongside him. Vice President Kamala Harris once again has proven her leadership by choosing someone our party and the nation can be proud of.
“I am fully committed to electing the Harris-Walz ticket. I will do everything I can to ensure victory in November for Democrats up and down the ballot here in Illinois and across the country.”
…Adding… ILGOP…
Vice President Harris’s pick reflects the agenda she intends to bring to this nation: another radical leftist from a deep blue state who will continue the disastrous Bidenomics policies crippling the nation’s economy as we speak. At least Americans can breathe easy knowing that Illinois’s own out-of-touch leftist billionaire governor JB Pritzker won’t be a heartbeat away from the Presidency anytime soon. With leftists like these headlining the Democrat ticket, President Trump’s message of secure borders, safe streets, and prosperous communities will win in November.
* Comptroller Mendoza…
A U.S. Army National Guard veteran and high school football coach who lowered taxes on the middle class – Kamala Harris chose a real champion for American families. I love that Governor Walz signed a bill to stop Minnesota students from going hungry and that he came out against a Minneapolis defund-the-police referendum. Governor Walz funded Minnesota police departments, putting more cops on the street and investing in body cameras. An avid hunter himself, Governor Walz established universal background checks for gun purchases. Governor Walz came from humble beginnings like I did and he brings common-sense, middle-of-the-road Midwestern values to this campaign. He is a strong defender of women’s reproductive rights. I will proudly vote as a delegate for Harris and Walz and will work tirelessly for the next three months to make sure America wins with them at the helm.
* More…
* ABC Chicago | Gov. JB Pritzker speaks in Chicago while on shortlist for Kamala Harris’ VP pick: Briefly speaking before the American Bar Association conference, Pritzker did not talk to the media during his only public appearance on Monday. He told attendees he is concerned about the threats to the rule of law and democratic norms in the U.S.
* Crain’s | Union members go to bat for Pritzker as VP speculation ramps up: The letter, signed by over 100 members of local Chicago and Illinois unions, including members of the Laborers’ International Union of North America and the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, circulated late last week and comes just days before Harris is expected to make her selection for vice president.
* WJBC | Illinois Senior Senator campaigns for Gov. Pritzker to be Kamala Harris’ running mate: Illinois’ senior U.S. senator, Democrat Dick Durbin, thinks Gov. JB Pritzker would be a worthy choice as Kamala Harris’ running mate. “I think he has shown as governor that he is a real leader,” Durbin told reporters at a ribbon-cutting in Springfield. “He would be a good ally of Kamala Harris, and I happen to know Juliana Stratton, the lieutenant governor, very well. She is a very impressive person.”
* N’DIGO | Q&A – Chris Welch- Speaker Of The Illinois House Of Representatives: What do you think of Governor Pritzker being the vice president? Welch: It would be good for Illinois. Having a direct White House connection would be excellent. I see nothing but positives. We have done well working together.
- Corinthian - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 8:46 am:
Wow, even with an open checkbook Pritzker was not Harris’ top midwestern Governor of a blue state. That’s a serious red flag for any future national ambitions of his.
- Gravitas - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 8:56 am:
In 2024, Minnesota looked to be a battleground state for the first time in decades. Walz may steady the presidential vote in Minny. Since Illinois was not in play, Pritzker did not add much to the ticket. Passing over Pritzker and Shapiro may be read as Harris being unwilling to challenge members of the Squad.
- Alton Sinkhole - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 8:57 am:
Gotta sting a bit if you’re Team Pritzker. Both Govs from blue states, both have the label of progressive but not crazy, and Pritzker has the obvious advantage of a family fortune worth billions of dollars and Kamala still went with Walz over him.
- Incandenza - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:02 am:
== Gotta sting a bit if you’re Team Pritzker. ==
Not really - the ticket would be hounded about the SAFE-T Act unfortunately (which would be unwarranted but it’s a real political risk). Plus, Harris does not want to be overshadowed by her own VP. Walz is a good choice, a heartland Dem who champions progressive feel-good policies like free school lunch for all kids.
- Barrister's Lectern - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:07 am:
Terrible decision. Not sure what this buys the Democratic ticket. Pritzker would have been a better choice.
- PoliticsD - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:10 am:
The people of this state need a good Governor. Which is exactly why I’m relieved Gov Pritzker was not chosen. Timing is everything. His opportunity for President will come.
- Frumpy White Guy - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:12 am:
Bye, bye pennsylvania.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:12 am:
From everything I’ve been reading, he is the guy with the least oppo. The safest pick, perceived to be anyway. Did we really want to relive the toiletgate and Blago phone call at a national level…?
- So_Ill - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:16 am:
Great pick and our governor gets to finish his term.
Win/win.
- LincolnParkDad - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:17 am:
Pitiful choice. Shapiro was a homerun pick. Pritzker was fine, but Walz is a horrible candidate.
Minnesota is an island in the Midwest and doesn’t translate to meaningful gains in Wisconsin, Ohio, or Pennsylvania.
I genuinely believe this will cost Kamala the Whitehouse. Call it an overreaction, but you chose a VP candidate that bears the worst of the 2020 riots and social dysfunction.
- Chicago Blue - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:17 am:
@Barrister
Walz has a much more compelling personal story (veteran, GI Bill, hunter, high school football coach) and his gubernatorial record is just as accomplished as Pritzker without having supermajorities in the legislature.
- Barrister's Lectern - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:23 am:
=== Walz has a much more compelling personal story (veteran, GI Bill, hunter, high school football coach) and his gubernatorial record is just as accomplished as Pritzker without having supermajorities in the legislature. ===
Not sure that translates into votes though. I am trying to identify the type of voter and the type of swing state that this swings to Kamala’s camp. Can’t think of one off the top of my head.
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:25 am:
Some truly wild comments here, considering there is not one actual living voter who is going to not vote for Harris because she didn’t pick their Johnny Unbeatable as VP.
- mrp - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:25 am:
” Call it an overreaction,”
You’re overreacting LincolnParkDad.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:26 am:
- Shapiro was a homerun pick. -
Yeah, sexual harassment cover up scandals are no big deal. Take a breath.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:27 am:
I always thought it was a bit unlikely that Pritzker would be the candidate. It would have played into the GOP’s fear mongering of crime and immigration by putting the focus on Chicago. And it would have given Abbott even more incentive to be disruptive when the convention comes to town.
Walz is a soliid, albeit, safe choice with a solid record.
- Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:28 am:
“Minnesota is an island in the Midwest”
Er, what?
Minnesota is pretty close to Illinois and has 10 electoral college votes that are pretty much Harris’.
Tell me a candidate that could as close to guarantee you a state while “translating to meaningful gains”. Whatever that means.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:39 am:
Walz is a solid choice. Someone more clever than me described Walz as being the person JD Vance is pretending to be. I think we’ll hear more about that over the coming months.
No VP choice ever wins an election, but some choices obviously hurt. I think Walz helps in Wisconsin and maybe Michigan too.
Also, like others, I am glad we get to keep JB as Governor.
- Proud Papa Bear - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:39 am:
Very happy with this pick. By all accounts, he’s a person of very high character and has already had a lot of experiences in his years.
Going after the swing state vote reeks of desperation and seldom works (Kaine, Edwards).
- Yes - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:39 am:
Walz is a solid choice to communicate to small towns that are the key to winning in MI, PA and WI. Plus he is an awesome debater w humor. He turns attacks around faster and more genuine than any Dem in the running.
- Benjamin - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:40 am:
I never thought Pritzker was a real contender–he didn’t bring much to the role of running mate (other than oodles of cash) that many other governors didn’t. And he’d run the risk of turning people off with his wealth.
I don’t know much about Walz, but he sounds like a good guy.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:48 am:
Walz so many great hooks. If you watched closely in the Comics for Kamala you tube….which was great…during the thomas Lennon bit (he is great) he had a bunch of political signs with Don Harmon’s name at the bottom, so he truly represented Oak Park where he is from.
- LincolnParkDad - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:49 am:
=MRP=
Great, are you charging me for this session?
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:55 am:
He’s fine - I think Kelly would have delivered the same benefits and more. I liked Shapiro too, but lost in all the discussion about his religion and stance on Israel is that he didn’t have all that much more experience than JD Vance - Walz allows them to push this point.
- ChicagoVinny - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 9:58 am:
My takeaway from the veepstakes is the Dems have built a solid bench over the last few years. Walz is a solid choice, he did a lot with a razor thin legislative majority. He’ll contrast nicely with JD Vance’s creepiness.
- Alton Sinkhole - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:12 am:
==the ticket would be hounded about the SAFE-T Act unfortunately==
And Walz will be hounded about “Minneapolis burning” or whatever nonsense the GOP comes up with.
- Alton Sinkhole - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:14 am:
why do people assume Walz helps in Michigan or Wisconsin? Genuinely asking.
- The Truth - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:14 am:
Walz is a fantastic pick. Shapiro had so, so many potential oppo weak spots. And the days of “VP pick delivers a home state” are long over - hasn’t happened since…Gore and TN for Clinton?
It’s rounding out the ticket. And Walz is a perfect match for Harris.
- Gravitas - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:16 am:
@LincolnParkDad:
Agreed.
Walz did not manage the 2020 riots in the Twin Cities following the death of George Floyd too well. This pick may reinforce criticisms of Harris raising funds to bail out the protesters.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:17 am:
===Genuinely asking===
He has authentic rural roots, didn’t attend and Ivy League school, was an enlisted soldier and school teacher, a farmer, and he represented a Republican district for several terms. He has genuine credibility with rural America because that’s been his life. I think that helps him in rural communities, especially in the Midwest. He is not an elite and he isn’t urban. He is Minnesota nice, as they say.
- WK - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:19 am:
Vance was a horrendous pick and undid much of the wave Trump had been riding.
Walz, in my opinion adds little to nothing to the ticket, but doesn’t hurt it either.
He has less potential oppo than Pritzker, but doesn’t bring the fundraising that Pritzker would have. The fact that Walz was the pick should be a sign that Pritzker may have been been looked at more seriously than most insiders thought.
Shapiro would have been a positive development and worthy of excitement.
Vance is the kind of pick you make when you think you’re up, Walz is the kind of pick you make when you’re just trying to not screw it up.
- Alton Sinkhole - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:24 am:
Solid points, I do like that he has experience winning in rural areas. Thanks for the informative response, 47th ward.
- Proud Papa Bear - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:25 am:
“Genuinely asking”
To add, he genuinely stands for policies that are trending up. He was a GSA sponsor before he championed LGBTQ+ rights as a legislator and he divorced his relationship with the NRA.
- Barrister's Lectern - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:28 am:
=== I think that helps him in rural communities, especially in the Midwest. ===
I was in rural Michigan this week and the Trump vibes were very strong. I don’t see many of those voters going for Harris just because Walz is the nominee.
- Save Ferris - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:39 am:
Veeps don’t matter unless they are bad (Vance) or outshine the prez candidate (Bentsen).
Walz is neither.
- JoanP - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:43 am:
= why do people assume Walz helps in Michigan or Wisconsin? =
Well, his hotdish recipe includes brats: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/rep-walzs-hermann-the-german-hotdish/, so there’s Wisconsin.
- NotRich - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:45 am:
2 lefties on the D ticket, 2 nutty MAGA’s on the R ticket. The middle is left out again.
- Save Ferris - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:48 am:
“The middle is left out again.”
Until the primary system is non-partisan ranked choice voting, that’s what we get.
- Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:48 am:
“or outshine the prez candidate (Bentsen).”
Man, that dude was smooth.
- SWIL_Voter - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:49 am:
“The middle is left out again.”
What are the centrist policies or positions not being repped by either ticket? I have a hard time looking at the D ticket and seeing extremism, dunno, maybe I’m missing something. Seems like the Democratic Party is a moderate party. Your mileage may vary I guess
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:54 am:
Tim Walz is a fantastic pick. I do not get all the misinformed doom and gloom here. For example:
===Shapiro was a homerun pick. Pritzker was fine===
Shapiro and Pritzker could have cost Harris Michigan, given that state’s sizable Palestinian population. I hate to put it in such stark terms, but in presidential politics, especially given razor-thin margins in swing states, cold calculations are what you have to do.
Keep up, people.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:56 am:
===This pick may reinforce criticisms of Harris raising funds to bail out the protesters.===
As opposed to Trump promising to pardon Jan. 6 rioters? Okee dokee pokee.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 10:58 am:
=I was in rural Michigan this week and the Trump vibes were very strong.=
Converting Trump voters isn’t the goal, appealing to independents is.
- Lynn S. - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 11:05 am:
I must be in the minority here; my read of the veepstakes was that JB might have a good presentation, but very little depth. (And I’m a huge JB fan.)
If folks remember our gubernatorial voting maps, JB did really well in Chicago/the suburbs/larger cities downstate.
Those are areas that are going to be very safe for Kamala. What she really needs is someone who can pick up votes in places like Effingham and Mattoon.
Given the situation in Gaza (a whole ‘nother thread on why Netanyahu is keeping the war going so he can stay out of prison), the West Bank (illelegal settlements and extra judicial killings by the settlers), and Israel proper, Shapiro didn’t have much of a chance.
My significant other is Palestinian with family in the West Bank, and Arab-Americans are rightfully furious at the Dems. Unfortunately, they’re so angry they’re failing to realize that the situation would have gotten much worse even sooner with Trump.
Biden has pulled Netanyahu back a few times. Trump wouldn’t/won’t.
The Dems need the Arab-American votes. Here’s to hoping that the Middle East doesn’t go up in flames before 2025.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 11:20 am:
Excellent pick, someone who would stop and help when the car breaks down as opposed to someone who is transactional and sees people as valuable only if it benefits him.
Agree that Shapiro could have caused problems regarding the sexual harassment scandal. Can’t interfere with the positive momentum. Should be a fun and happy convention.
- Chicagonk - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 11:29 am:
The best course for Pritzer assuming he wants to position himself for a run in 2028 if Harris loses is to change the national narrative around Illinois and Chicago.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 11:37 am:
Walz is a good pick for do no harm/see no benefit.
I thought Shapiro added more benefit and aggressiveness to the ticket. The sexual harassment scandal is not what was held against him, it was the long knives of the extreme left.
- Lurker - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 11:50 am:
Anybody that calls Vance and Trump weird, I support. Kamala has this Republicans vote. Hopefully more of that in states that matter.
- Illinifan - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 11:52 am:
Glad Pritzker is staying put for now, lots more work to be done in Illinois. Walz understands small town America and connects with rural America. He grew up in a town of 400, his family farmed. He was a teacher and served in the military. He talks plainly and is not east or west coast slick. He connects with a constituency that the Democrats have ignored for too long. Yes Floyd was a fail, but he has delivered a lot for working Minnesotans through tax cuts, reduced drug costs and feeding hungry children.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 12:11 pm:
Harris had a choice between upsetting key parts of the Democratic base and losing enthusiasm with a Shapiro pick, or losing some moderates with a Walz pick. There are Republicans who won’t vote for Trump, maybe many will just leave it blank and vote down-ballot if they don’t like Harris-Walz (which could help her with a fired-up base).
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 12:20 pm:
===had a choice between upsetting===
That’s just way too simplistic. So many things go into a decision like this.
- Barrister's Lectern - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 12:23 pm:
=== What she really needs is someone who can pick up votes in places like Effingham and Mattoon ===
I hate to break it to you, but Walz is not going to deliver those votes - nobody can. Those places are as red as Donald Trump is orange.
- Alton Sinkhole - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 12:26 pm:
== Tell me a candidate that could as close to guarantee you a state while “translating to meaningful gains”. Whatever that means.==
Josh Shapiro in PA which has more electoral college votes than MN. He has a 61% approval rating in the state and beat his Republican opponent by 15 points.
- Leap Day William - Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 12:39 pm:
== I hate to break it to you, but Walz is not going to deliver those votes - nobody can. Those places are as red as Donald Trump is orange. ==
Small cities and rural areas are not a monolith, and the GOP has devolved into a cult of personality that really turns people who aren’t into Trump off. Remember the 2016 loss margins in Michigan and Wisconsin, and the 2020 win margins in Georgia and Arizona? This isn’t about flipping places like Effingham blue, it’s about picking up votes from those who can’t bring themselves to vote for Trump again to vote Democratic for president instead of leaving that part of the ballot blank.
Harris/Walz doesn’t need to change all that many minds to keep states blue that went blue.