Colorado Democrats hailed Vice President Kamala Harris’ announcement Tuesday that she had picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, calling the home-spun military veteran and former social studies teacher an ideal addition to the Democratic ticket.
“With a proven governor on Kamala Harris’ ticket, the path to victory is now even brighter,” tweeted Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, whose name was among those mentioned as Harris’ potential vice presidential picks.
“My friend Tim Walz is a strong governor who has delivered results, fought to protect and expand our freedom, and has a shared vision to help build a better future,” added Polis, who punctuated his post with an American flag emoji.
Walz’s selection caps a topsy-turvy couple of weeks. President Joe Biden withdrew from his reelection bid and endorsed Harris, who won enough support from Democratic delegates to claim the nomination within days. After a compressed period considering potential vice-presidential running mates, she named the 60-year-old Midwesterner to face former President Donald Trump and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the Republican nominees.
U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Denver Democrat, noted that she served with Walz when he was a House member and considers him a friend.
“Our country needs leadership that is willing to tackle the issues it faces without hesitation,” DeGette tweeted. “We need leaders who represent their constituents, respect their needs, and will get things done. And if you ask me after knowing Tim Walz and calling him a friend, he is the perfect fit for the job.”
DeGette said that Walz’s record as governor made him a “true trailblazer in Minnesota.”
“He consistently listens to the people and has led efforts in enshrining abortion rights into state law, implementing free breakfast and lunch in all public K-12 schools, and passing more than 40 climate initiatives into law,” DeGette said. “Governor Walz’s background and public service record is second to none.”
In an emailed statement, DeGette called Walz’s wife, Gwen, the politician’s “secret weapon.”
“A lifelong Minnesotan and dedicated educator, Gwen has spent her life teaching Minnesotans of all backgrounds. Her vibrant spirit and unwavering dedication to social justice complement the Governor’s leadership perfectly,” DeGette said.
Colorado’s two U.S. senators, both Democrats, applauded the pick in social media posts emphasizing how Walz complements Harris.
“Tim Walz has always shown us exactly who he is, from his days supervising the high school lunchroom to governor today,” tweeted John Hickenlooper, a former governor. “He’s a straight-talking champion for working families and protecting women’s freedoms. The perfect partner to help VP Harris bring it home.”
“Governor Tim Walz has been a longtime champion for ending child poverty,” tweeted Michael Bennet, referring to a policy goal he has long sought. “Together, we can send him and VP Harris to the White House and build an economy that when it grows, grows for everyone, not just the people at the top.”
House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse, a Lafayette Democrat, congratulated Walz on X and predicted that he will be a “phenomenal” vice president, adding: “Let’s go!!”
U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, a Lakewood Democrat, tweeted that with Walz’s selection, Harris “has sent a powerful message that this election will be won by building an economy that works for the middle class & fighting for families to get ahead. He has the experience & values that reflect the priorities of America.”
After posting a brief initial reaction on social media — “We’re all in, let’s go! #HarrisWalz2024” — the Colorado Democratic Party said in a fundraising email that its leaders “couldn’t think of a stronger ticket to lead us in these final 90 days of the campaign!”
Added the state Democrats: “Governor Walz has been a progressive rural champion on issues core to the Democratic Party, and he’s going to be a great ally to our next President, Kamala Harris.”
The Colorado GOP didn’t respond to a request for comment on Harris’ announcement, but the state’s most prominent Republican lawmaker, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert fired off multiple posts slamming Walz.
“JD Vance is going to run circles around Tim Walz,” Boebert tweeted, likely referring to a debate between the two vice presidential nominees, though Vance has yet to commit to a scheduled debate.
After roughly an hour had passed, Boebert tweeted: “If Bernie Sanders were a governor, he’d be Tim Walz.”
Elaborating on her point, Boebert later framed what she considers the stakes of the race.
“Kamala Harris put an avowed socialist on her ticket,” Boebert tweeted. “It’s now truly MAGA vs Marxism. I know what side I’m on!”
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Publish date : 2024-08-06 09:01:00
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