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Upcoming Campaign and Criticisms
Walz and Harris will make their first joint appearance at 5:30 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. Walz has received backlash from Minnesota Republicans, particularly regarding his actions to protect gender-affirming care. John Helmberger, CEO of the Christian conservative group Minnesota Family Council, argued that Walz’s executive order to protect gender-affirming care “victimizes vulnerable young people.” Additionally, Walz has faced criticism from Republicans for referring to them as “weird people on the other side.”
Support for Walz
Walz has garnered support from notable figures, including former Obama strategist David Axelrod, who stated Walz is “running the most aggressive campaign” for vice president. Sources close to Harris have praised Walz’s efforts, describing him as having “Midwest grit” and an appeal that extends beyond the Midwest. Other supporters include Representative Angie Craig, a group of 50 progressive lawmakers, and the Gen Z-focused left-wing Won’t PAC Down political action group.
Minnesota’s Role in the 2024 Election
Minnesota will be a crucial swing state for Harris in November, one of seven key states that President Biden won in 2020. A recent Fox News poll shows Harris leading Trump in Minnesota by six points (52%-46%) in a head-to-head match. Including third-party candidates, Harris leads Trump 47%-41%. This lead marks a turnaround from a previous Emerson College poll that had Biden tied with Trump in Minnesota.
Major Endorsements for Harris
Harris has secured major endorsements from prominent Democrats, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Representative Nancy Pelosi. Obama’s endorsement came after Harris was officially named the party nominee, following a rules change approved by the Democratic National Convention’s rules panel.
The Road Ahead for Harris and Walz
Vice President Kamala Harris‘s choice of Tim Walz as her running mate adds a moderate and experienced politician to her ticket, potentially strengthening her appeal among independents and moderate Democrats. As the election approaches, Harris and Walz’s ability to connect with voters in key swing states like Minnesota will be crucial in determining their success against former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race.
