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Nevada Dems say Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ‘is a great choice’ to serve as Kamala Harris’ VP

Nevada Dems say Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ‘is a great choice’ to serve as Kamala Harris’ VP

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrive at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

By Casey Harrison

August 6, 2024
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‘He is a listener,’ Nevada US Sen. Jacky Rosen said of Walz on Tuesday. ‘He’s really a smart, gentle, pragmatic, problem-solving person, and he’s going to be a great partner for Vice President Harris.’

Tuesday’s news of Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz being selected as Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ running mate was largely welcomed by Nevada lawmakers of the same party as well as several political advocacy groups. 

In picking Walz, Vice President Harris selected a veteran and former high school teacher with years of experience as a legislator who can work in a bipartisan fashion. 

Walz served in the US House before being elected governor in 2018, and he’s used his office to, among other things, bolster funding for public schools, implement paid family and medical leave time for families, legalize marijuana for recreational use, and enact abortion protections statewide. In addition to his personable nature, Harris said she picked Walz because of his commitment to good governance. 

“One of the things that stood out to me about Tim is how his convictions on fighting for middle class families run deep. It’s personal,” Harris wrote in a post on Instagram.

MORE: Who is Tim Walz? What to know about Kamala Harris’ pick for vice president

“He grew up in a small town in Nebraska, spending summers working on his family’s farm. His father died of cancer when he was 19, and his family relied on Social Security survivor benefit checks to make ends meet. At 17, he enlisted in the National Guard, serving for 24 years. He used his GI Bill benefits to go to college, and become a teacher. He served as both the football coach and the advisor of the Gay-Straight Alliance.”

While the move was predictably criticized by Nevada Republicans, who echoed former President Donald Trump in characterizing Walz as an extremist liberal, Democrats in the state celebrated Harris’ choice. 

Here’s how the Silver State reacted to Harris’ selection of Walz: 

US Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada

“Tim Walz is a great choice,” Rosen told reporters Tuesday morning during a campaign stop for her own re-election. “He was born in rural America — did you know he went to high school with 25 kids? He joined the [US Army] reserves in order to serve his country … became a school teacher, a coach, eventually ran for Congress and is now a governor. 

“He is a listener, he’s really a smart, gentle, pragmatic, problem-solving person,” Rosen continued. “And he’s going to be a great partner for Vice President Harris.” 

US Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada

“Tim Walz has the proven record and experience to serve as our next Vice President. 

I know we can count on him to help @KamalaHarris create opportunities for working families, lower costs, and defend women’s freedoms,” Cortez Masto wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter 

“Now, let’s get to work to win this November.”

US Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nevada

“I was proud to call @Tim_Walz my friend and colleague in Congress on the Veteran’s Affairs Committee and I look forward to calling him Vice President,” Titus wrote on X. “He is a champion for working families and he definitely isn’t weird. Let’s get to work to elect @kamalaharris and Tim.” 

US Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nevada

“Governor Tim Walz was a high school teacher and football coach, served in the Army National Guard, and was one of the most bipartisan Members of Congress,” Lee said in a statement. “As someone who represents a competitive district, I have great respect for Governor Walz’s track record of winning tough elections and delivering common sense solutions. 

“He has defended a woman’s right to choose, cut taxes for working families, invested in public schools and housing, expanded workers’ rights, developed the clean economy of the future, and lowered healthcare costs for seniors.” 

US Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nevada 

“I applaud Vice President Kamala Harris’ choice for her running mate in this important election,” Horsford’s office told The Nevadan in a statement. “I know Governor Tim Walz, having served together in the House. He has always been a champion for working families, unions and small businesses. Tim’s been an advocate for veterans leading the House Veterans Affairs committee, and a voice for farmers and rural America. And as a gun owner, he knows that we must do more to tackle gun violence in our communities. I look forward to working and campaigning with Governor Walz as we head towards November 5th.”

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford

Ford did not issue a formal statement, but posted on social media that he was in Philadelphia on Tuesday to attend Harris’ first campaign rally since announcing Walz as her running mate. Ford also reposted several posts on X, formerly Twitter, positive of Walz. 

“In the house for the Running Mate Launch Rally with Vice President @KamalaHarris and @TimWalz! It’s in here!! #HarrisWalz.”

Nevada State Democratic Party chairwoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno

“Vice President Harris knows what it takes to be a good partner in government, and her selection of Governor Tim Walz with his background in education, military service, and leadership as Governor, former member of Congress, and small town mayor is a strong statement to continue building unity across the United States,” Monroe-Moreno, who also serves as a Nevada Assemblywoman, said in a statement.  

The road to the White House leads through Nevada and the Silver State is uniquely equipped to deliver the White House for Vice President Harris. I look forward to welcoming Vice President Harris and Governor Walz to Nevada this Saturday.”

Nevada state Sen. Roberta Lange, D-Las Vegas

“I am proud to say he is the person I though should be our vice presidential pick,” Lange, a retired teacher, said during a news conference Tuesday during which he urged lawmakers next year to pass a universal school meals bill similar to the one Walz signed into law. “I’m thrilled about it, not only that he’s a teacher, but I just think the things that he’s done in Minnesota are really great, and they are things that can be replicated across the United States, and he’ll be a great voice.” 

Nevada state Sen. Pat Spearman, D-North Las Vegas

“As a Nevadan, One thing I know for sure:

Tim Walz will say the same of our state correctly and that’s important to a lot of us,” Spearman wrote on X 

Nevada Assemblywoman Shea Backus, D-Las Vegas

“I’m getting really excited,” Backus told The Nevadan. “One of the things I’m really excited about, when Gov. Walz becomes the new vice president, Lt. Gov. Penny Flanagan will become the first Native American to serve in government — she’s our highest-standing Native American in a state constitutional office.”

Nevada Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui, D-Las Vegas

“A teacher, coach, veteran that believes in ‘respect, compromise, and service to country’ that is a running mate to be proud of @Tim_Walz . I’m ready to win with #HarrisWalz2024,” Jauregui wrote on X.

Nevada Assemblywoman Natha Anderson, D-Reno

“In June I was invited to attend a breakfast from the Biden- Harris campaign. I was exhausted  ‘I’ll just stop by’.  I stayed the entire time! It was the energy, caring, enthusiastic, and intelligent Minnesota Governor Tim Walz,” Anderson wrote on X. 

“So excited for the Harris- Walz ticket!!”

Nevada Assemblywoman Selena La Rue Hatch, D-Reno

“Social studies teachers know how to get the job done!” Hatch wrote on X. “So thrilled VP Harris has welcomed an educator to the team. No one will will work harder for our kiddos than a teacher. And let me tell you from experience: bullies don’t stand a chance against a HS teacher. Tim Walz is absolutely the right person for this job.”

Clark County Commission Chairman Tick Segerblom

“i can’t wait to bring @Tim_Walz to east las vegas – he talks the talk and walks the walk,” Sergeblom wrote on X.

Reno City Councilman Devon Reese

“All the feels a distinct message of hope and unity,” Reese wrote on X.” Let’s win together @KamalaHarris @Tim_Walz

Silver State Equality, Nevada’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group

“VP Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Silver State Equality is excited to support this ticket. Tim Walz is a champion of LGBTQ+ rights and equality for all. Let’s get to the White House!”

Battle Born Progress, a progressive advocacy group

Nevada GOP

“The selection of Tim Walz represents a continuation of policies that have led to government overreach, a higher cost of living, open borders, and a disregard for the values that make America exceptional. Nevadans have experienced firsthand the negative effects of these policies, and a Harris/Walz ticket will further exacerbate the problems we face due to failed Democrat leadership.” 

Sam Brown, Republican candidate for US Senate

“Both Tim Walz and Kamala Harris have records as some of the most far left politicians around. They want nothing to do with moderates or independents — they cater only to the extreme progressives. 

This is the most socialist ticket in American history.”

  • Casey Harrison

    Casey Harrison is political correspondent for The Nevadan. Previously, he covered politics and the Oakland Athletics' relocation to Southern Nevada for the Las Vegas Sun, and before that, was a digital producer at The Detroit News. Casey graduated from Michigan State University in 2019.

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