Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday announced she has selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate in her bid to become the next President of the United States.
Democrats in Maryland applauded the choice and pledged their support for the Harris-Walz ticket.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who like Walz is a U.S. Army veteran, commended Walz as a “lifelong patriot” who has a “proven track record of progress.”
“His incredible journey of service – from Sergeant Major in the Army National Guard to public school teacher and union leader, to Governor of Minnesota – isn’t just a source of inspiration for future generations and evidence of his deep commitment to this country; it’s also proof of his effectiveness as a leader who is going to generate wins not just for the Democratic Party in November, but for the entire country as he works in partnership with our next president, Kamala Harris,” Moore said in a post on X.
He added, “There’s not a doubt in my mind that this is the team our country needs right now. They’re the partners Maryland needs in the White House. They’re the ticket that our country needs to build on President Biden’s historic accomplishments. They’re the team who will defeat Donald Trump and JD Vance in November.”
Selecting the VP is one of the first and most important decisions a presidential nominee can make. VP Harris chose an educator, a Governor with a proven track record of progress, and a lifelong patriot in Tim Walz.
As a fellow Army vet, I know that Governor Walz and his 24 years… https://t.co/T3X0G08ae9 — Gov. Wes Moore (@iamwesmoore) August 6, 2024
Walz also has a background in common with Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr.; both men worked as public school social studies teachers — Olzewski in Baltimore County Public Schools, and Walz in Minnesota’s Mankato school district — before entering public office.
Olszewski, who is the Democratic nominee for Maryland’s 2nd congressional district, extended his support to Walz on social media.
Alright, alright let’s go! Time to do the work to elect @KamalaHarris and @Tim_Walz! 💪 pic.twitter.com/QZIFJH8Tad — Johnny Olszewski, Jr. (@JohnnyOJr) August 6, 2024
Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, the Democratic nominee to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, voiced her support for the Harris-Walz campaign.
“The vision that Vice President Harris and Governor Walz share is one where our freedoms are protected in the United States,” she posted on X. “It’s a vision that stands in diametric opposition to the vision of Donald Trump’s and J.D. Vance’s Republican Party.”
I couldn’t be more excited for Vice President Harris, for Maryland, and for our country in her decision of Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate.
The vision that Vice President Harris and Governor Walz share is one where our freedoms are protected in the United States.
It’s… https://t.co/bHQQRXjbjr — Angela Alsobrooks (@AlsobrooksForMD) August 6, 2024
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who worked alongside Walz in the U.S. House of Representatives when the Minnesotan represented that state’s 1st congressional district, called his colleague a “superb choice” for Harris’s running mate.
“I can say without reservation: @Kamala Harris couldn’t have selected a better teammate. Tim’s always put our country first–from his time in uniform to his work as a teacher & serving the people of MN. He’ll make a great VP,” Van Hollen wrote in a post on X.
Superb choice! Having served with @Tim_Walz in the House, I can say without reservation: @KamalaHarris couldn't have selected a better teammate. Tim's always put our country first—from his time in uniform to his work as a teacher & serving the people of MN. He'll make a great VP. https://t.co/QkWSW2nvD2 — Chris Van Hollen (@VanHollenForMD) August 6, 2024
Maryland Democratic Party Chair Ken Ulman called the selection of Walz as the Democratic nominee for vice president “a momentous occasion for our party and a pivotal moment for our country.”
“Gov. Tim Walz has governed boldly as a progressive and working class champion, whose small town values will contrast sharply with the divisive politics of the GOP’s MAGA extremism,” Ulman said in a statement. “VP Kamala Harris has once again demonstrated that she is the leader our party needs in this moment with her bold, exciting choice for Vice President.”
Ulman added that, “As we move toward the November election, I am confident that with Gov. Tim Walz on the ticket, Democrats can be confident that our ticket is well-positioned to inspire voters, build on our grassroots momentum, and realize a future that reflects our shared values. The Maryland Democratic Party is proud to stand behind VP Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz, and we are ready to work tirelessly to ensure their victory.”
(Full disclosure: Ulman is a part-owner of Baltimore Fishbowl. This article was independently reported and was not reviewed by Ulman for publication.)
