On August 6, Kamala Harris’ campaign announced that she was choosing current Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate.
Some progressive commenters have welcomed the choice, even those once critical of Harris, especially just recently Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro seemed to be the most likely candidate, who has a less progressive track record than Walz. “This is a very winnable election for Kamala Harris. But it would not have been had she chosen Shapiro,” said progressive academic Marc Lamont Hill, who was fired from his position at CNN for his support for Palestine back in 2018. To Hill, Harris’ choice “signals that VP Harris is listening to the voices of young, grassroots, pro-ceasefire, and other voters.”
Indeed, Walz does have a notably progressive track record on certain issues. He has signaled, albeit very vaguely, a willingness to move away from the US’s hardline support for Israeli genocide. A few months ago, he said regarding Minnesota voters who were choosing to vote “uncommitted” in the Democratic primary, “These are voters that are deeply concerned—as we all are. The situation in Gaza is intolerable… we start bringing these folks back in, we listen to what they’re saying—that’s a healthy thing.”
As Governor, Walz implemented some progressive policies in the state of Minnesota, including legalizing recreational marijuana, expanded paid leave for workers, banned non-compete clauses, codified abortion rights, implemented free public school lunches, and increased public spending on housing and infrastructure.
Walz also was the Governor of Minnesota during the 2020 uprisings against racism and police brutality, which launched in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd. Walz launched the national guard against protesters, the first full mobilization of the national guard in the state’s history. Walz said at the time that “protection of citizenry and protection of property is our top priority and maintaining and restoring civil order on the streets.”
His policy record has also been under scrutiny from the left in other areas, including his vetoing of a bill this year that would have established minimum pay rates for Uber and Lyft drivers. Walz also watered down a healthcare affordability bill in response to pressure from healthcare giant Mayo Clinic.
The campaign of Claudia De la Cruz, a socialist running against Trump and Harris on the ticket of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, called Walz “a fake progressive sent to rescue the sinking Democratic Party.”
“After Biden’s meltdown, the Democrats are hoping to reenergize people with a supposedly “progressive” pick for Kamala Harris’ running mate,” the campaign wrote, also highlighting his support for Israeli occupation.
