Tim Walz highlighted his rural background and criticized Donald Trump as he made his debut as Kamala Harris’s running mate at a lively Democratic rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
The Minnesota governor, who was introduced as the new vice-presidential nominee, described their Republican opponents as “weird as hell.”
Walz addressed a crowd of thousands shortly after being announced as Harris’s pick.
The Trump campaign quickly responded, labeling Walz as a “dangerously liberal extremist.”
At the rally in Pennsylvania, a key swing state, Vice President Kamala Harris described herself and Walz as “underdogs” in the tight race but expressed confidence in their momentum.
She introduced Walz as “a fighter for the middle class, a patriot.”
Walz, who is 60, spoke about his small-town upbringing in Nebraska, his service as a national guardsman, and his career as a teacher.
He sharply contrasted himself with Trump, saying, “He doesn’t know the first thing about service because he’s too busy serving himself.”
The crowd erupted with chants of “lock him up” in response to Walz’s criticism of Trump’s criminal record.
He also drew applause by referring to their Republican rivals with a viral line, calling them “creepy and, yes, just weird as hell.”
Walz expressed eagerness to debate Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, jesting about Vance’s potential absence.
The rally focused on defending individual freedoms, including abortion rights and protection from gun violence.
Walz’s straightforward, folksy approach resonated with Democrats, especially when he declared, “Mind your own damn business!” on abortion access, eliciting strong cheers from the Temple University crowd.
Walz and Harris are embarking on a five-day tour of key battleground states and will also speak at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from August 19 to 22.
As Minnesota’s two-term governor, Walz has overseen significant legislative achievements, including guarantees for abortion rights, gun control measures, and paid family leave.
Critics, however, have targeted him for Minnesota’s mask mandate and pandemic related business and school closures, as well as delays in deploying the National Guard during the George Floyd protests in 2020.
Earlier in Philadelphia, JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, criticized Walz’s selection, accusing Harris of catering to the most radical elements of her party.
Trump’s campaign responded, stating, “Just like Kamala Harris, Tim Walz is a dangerously liberal extremist, and the Harris-Walz California dream is every American’s nightmare.”
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