On Aug. 6, Tim Walz was selected by Kamala Harris as her running mate for the presidential election. Walz beat Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who was the initial favorite for the nomination in a move that initially surprised many Democrats across the country. Walz is in his second term as the governor of Minnesota after spending 12 years representing Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District. Harris’s choice of Walz as her running mate has positioned her campaign for election success by leveraging Walz’s relatability to connect with voters in a way that the Donald Trump-J.D. Vance campaign cannot.
One of the biggest reasons Walz is gaining so much support in the polls is through his authenticity. Voters find him as a relatable leader who isn’t afraid to speak his mind. Walz’s often blunt remarks, like telling people to “mind their own damn business,” sets him apart from most other politicians who sound like they are reading off a script. Walz’s talent for authentically connecting to voters also greatly contrasts Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance’s frequently awkward public appearances. For example, a recent video showing Vance stumbling through an awkward conversation with a Georgia donut shop employee went viral online. Clips on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have furthered these views, allowing many Democrats to brand Vance as “weird.” These sentiments are allowing Democrats to surge ahead in the polls. In fact, recent polling from FiveThirtyEight showed Walz at 41.4% favorability and 38.0% unfavorability nationwide, while Vance sits at 37.1% favorability and 45.3% unfavorable.
Another factor that is helping Walz stand out is his emphasis on promoting national unity instead of stoking division. Donald Trump’s controversial remarks, such as claiming during the presidential debate that Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, are “eating cats and dogs” or labeling immigrants “criminals” at a rally in Aurora, Colo., have crossed the line for many Americans. Trump’s statements at the Detroit Economic Club, which suggested that “The whole country will end up like Detroit,” have sparked widespread outrage in the swing state of Michigan. By framing Detroit in such a negative manner, Trump isolated many Michigan residents who felt as if he was dismissing the hard work and progress of the city in recent years. On the contrary, Walz’s rhetoric on the campaign trail has been structured to emphasize optimism, aiming to inspire hope rather than playing on voters’ fears. His speeches emphasize the power of change encouraging voters to look towards the future with enthusiasm and the belief of a better future.
Walz has also made a point to engage with key issues on the ballot like reproductive rights. On the campaign trail, Walz openly shares his family’s struggles with fertility, describing how he and his wife turned to reproductive treatment to start their family. This openness has not only earned him widespread support from supporters of reproductive rights but also from Americans who appreciate authenticity on difficult issues from their leaders. In fact, Newsweek reported on Oct. 2 that “48 percent of CNN poll respondents saw Walz as in touch with their needs, compared to 35 percent who felt that way about Vance.”
Despite all of his recent popularity, Walz hasn’t been without his own controversies. Although he previously claimed to be a retired command sergeant major, Walz’s critics have made claims that he exaggerated his military experience. Many Republicans have used this issue to cast doubt on Walz’s credibility among moderate voters, but the way they have gone about doing so has missed the mark. Instead of focusing on the specific claim about his rank, they’ve used harsh language that dismisses his entire military career. Many of these attacks ignore the fact that Walz served for over two decades in the Minnesota National Guard and earned the respect of his fellow soldiers. By attacking his character instead of sticking to the facts, the Trump-Vance campaign risks alienating voters who appreciate his real-life military experience, regardless of his specific rank.
Despite these difficulties, Walz has been a valuable addition to the Harris campaign. As the Democratic ticket focuses most of its time and resources in key swing states, Walz’s genuine appeal continues to strike a chord with voters. This connection is allowing the Harris-Walz campaign to gain momentum as they seek to win the presidential election in November.
This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on November 4, 2024
