Senator JD Vance Reacts to Vice President Harris' Selection of Governor Tim Walz as Running Mate

On Tuesday, Senator JD Vance (R-OH), the Republican vice presidential nominee, revealed that he had reached out to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) to congratulate him after Vice President Kamala Harris announced Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election .

"I actually called Tim Walz while on my way to the flight in Cincinnati, which is in northern Kentucky. I left him a voicemail," Vance shared with reporters prior to his rally in Philadelphia. "I didn't manage to speak with him directly, but I conveyed my congratulations and mentioned that I look forward to an engaging conversation" .

Criticism and Attack Lines

Despite the cordial gesture, Vance went on to criticize both Walz and Harris, claiming that their ticket leans too far to the left. He also took issue with arguments made by some activists against Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, labeling them as antisemitic .

In a separate statement, Vance previewed expected Republican attack lines, focusing on Walz's record as governor during the 2020 racial justice protests and a new Minnesota law allowing residents, regardless of immigration status, to obtain driver's licenses .

"Outside of Minnesota, nobody knows who Tim Walz is," stated a Republican strategist. "He will be introduced to western voters as the governor who allowed Minnesota to burn during the 2020 riots and backed making Minnesota a sanctuary state" .

Democratic Response and Campaign Focus

However, the Harris campaign emphasized Walz's background as a veteran, educator, and football coach prior to entering politics. Walz flipped a Republican-held congressional seat in 2006, retaining it for five terms before his gubernatorial campaign in 2018 .

"Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will spend the next 91 days traveling across the nation promoting a message of opportunity, empowering the middle class rather than reducing taxes for the wealthy, and advocating for our essential freedoms, including reproductive rights," stated Michael Tyler, the communications director for Harris's campaign .

Significance and Future Clashes

The selection of Walz as Harris's running mate is seen as a significant victory for progressive factions within the Democratic Party . As the campaign season heats up, the Vance-Trump and Harris-Walz tickets are expected to clash on a range of issues, from climate change and immigration to reproductive rights .