Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded live on Tuesday to Vice President Harris’ choice of Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., as her running mate, calling him a “fantastic” selection while also addressing critics who argue he is too progressive.
“Tim Walz is fantastic. She had several strong options. I know Tim Walz very well. He served in the House. To label him as far-left is completely inaccurate. He’s truly centrist, a Democrat from the heartland of America,” she stated during her appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
The 60-year-old Walz, a former congressman, is currently in his second term as governor of Minnesota, a state leaning Democratic that the Trump campaign has aimed to flip in this election cycle.
“It’s perplexing to see someone I worked with—who I would describe as centrist—mischaracterized as left-leaning. He has the confidence of Harris, clearly. That was the decision made by the presidential nominee, who will soon be the president of the United States. I respect her choice and all her other options,” she remarked, referring to Harris’ selection of other potential vice-presidential candidates.
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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shared her thoughts on Kamala Harris choosing Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate during a live session on “Morning Joe.” (Screenshot/MSNBC)
“He possesses a brilliant vision for our nation. His focus is on working-class families, rural America, and veterans. He has secured his role as governor twice in Minnesota. Reverend [Al] Sharpton spoke on his decisions regarding the tragic events surrounding George Floyd. Clearly, we respect the president nominee’s judgment; her comfort aligns with ours,” Pelosi added.
Walz entered the House in 2006 and was re-elected five times, representing Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, which is predominantly rural and includes several midsize cities in the southern region of the state.
In his final two years in Congress, he held the position of ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz spoke to reporters following a White House meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and other Democratic governors on July 3, 2024. (REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz)
Walz recently described his rivals, former President Trump and Sen. JD Vance, as “strange.”
“These individuals are just peculiar,” Gov. Tim Walz from Minnesota stated during a recent campaign event in support of Harris.
“The extremists rely on us reverting to old ways, but we’re not intimidated by odd characters,” Walz mentioned at the event. “While we may feel uneasy, we’re not afraid.”
He also faced backlash for encouraging a group of men on a “White Dudes for Harris” conference call to proudly express their progressive beliefs.
“Never shy away from our progressive values,” the Minnesota Democrat urged on the call last week. “What one person calls socialism, another might see as neighborly behavior.”
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Harris also considered Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pa., and Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., as potential running mates.
Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser, Brooke Singman, and Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
