Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election after a rigorous two-week vetting process. Walz, a seasoned politician and former Army veteran, brings a wealth of experience to the ticket, having served in the U.S. Congress from 2007 until 2019 before becoming the governor of Minnesota. His political career is marked by significant victories, including defeating Republican Jeff Johnson in 2018 and winning re-election in 2022 against Republican Scott Jensen.
Just a reminder that Tim Walz lied to the American people and said Joe Biden was “fit for office” before he was forced to drop out.
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) August 6, 2024
Walz’s selection has been well-received by progressives, thanks to his strong support for unions and his notable accomplishments as governor. These include codifying abortion rights into the state constitution, implementing universal free school breakfasts and lunches, and establishing Minnesota as a refuge for children seeking transgender medical procedures. These achievements, coupled with Walz’s straightforward demeanor, have impressed the Harris campaign, which aims to strengthen its appeal in Midwestern battleground states. However, Walz’s tenure as governor is not without controversy, providing ample ammunition for Republican critics.
One of the most persistent issues surrounding Walz is his 1995 DUI arrest. While Walz has attempted to minimize the incident in past campaigns, questions about the event continue to surface. According to a 2022 report by Alpha News, court records challenge Walz’s account of the arrest. The records indicate that Walz was pulled over for speeding and exhibited signs of intoxication, failing both a field sobriety test and a preliminary breath test. Ultimately, Walz pled guilty to reckless driving.
Another contentious aspect of Walz’s governorship is his handling of the Minneapolis riots following George Floyd’s death in 2020. Critics argue that Walz’s response was delayed and inadequate. GOP lawmakers, including Minnesota GOP Chairman David Hann and Republican state Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, have accused Walz of being slow to deploy the National Guard, leading to extensive damage in Minneapolis and St. Paul. This perceived hesitation, they claim, was a result of Walz’s fear of alienating his progressive base.
Ron DeSantis takes down Tim Walz
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/uomOUIP6hX
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 6, 2024
Hope Walz has apparently left Twitter. Here is her tweet giving intel to the rioters. https://t.co/AHhE29sSbN pic.twitter.com/Fp2SA069uE
— David Strom (@DavidStrom) May 30, 2020
Walz’s approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic also drew criticism. His administration implemented stringent restrictions, including lockdowns and mask mandates, which were met with opposition from some quarters. The establishment of a hotline to report violations of COVID-19 mandates was particularly controversial, with opponents labeling it unnecessary and intrusive.
Additionally, Walz’s oversight of pandemic relief programs has been scrutinized, particularly in light of the Feeding Our Future scandal. Federal prosecutors have charged 70 individuals with defrauding pandemic aid programs, and a report by the Office of the Legislative Auditor criticized the Minnesota Department of Education for failing to detect and address warning signs of fraud.
Lastly, Walz faced backlash for his involvement in a police shooting case. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty accused Walz of inappropriately inserting himself into the case of Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan, who was involved in the fatal shooting of Black motorist Ricky Cobb II. Walz defended his actions, stating that he would have used his executive authority to intervene if the charges had not been dropped.
