Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz talks Kamala Harris about her nomination process, and whether the governor would like to serve as vice president
Gov. Tim Walz spoke to WCCO about the Democratic nomination process for president and if he’d like to be a vice-presidential candidate, and much more.
By Esme Murphy, Caroline Cummings
MINNEAPOLIS — Since President Biden ended his reelection bid Sunday, Vice President Harris has already broken a fundraising record , locked down hundreds of delegates and secured critical endorsements in her efforts to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for president. One of those key endorsements includes Minnesota’s governor.
Gov. Tim Walz, who is chairman of the Democratic National Convention rules committee, informed the WCCO’s Esme Murphy, on Monday evening about the process for nominations. would be open to candidates from other parties.
“Anybody can run,” Walz stated about nominating. “This Wednesday we’ll set the rules. There will be three days after that, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week. Anyone who wants to can get 300 delegates. If you can get 300 delegates on your side, your name will be put into nomination.”
Walz says that at that moment, the candidates for nominations will have three days to present their case to the delegates. On August. 1st, voting begins and the person who receives the most votes and is able to reach the threshold will be the candidate of the party.
According to Walz there is no one else out of Harris has yet to throw their hat in the ring.
“Everyone is welcome,” he declared.
Walz is a man who at most one Minnesota Democrat has mentioned as an possible vice-presidential candidate He was asked if he’s thought of for this position.
“I do not know that,” he added. “I spoke to the vice president on Sunday, shortly after the announcement by President Biden, and she just made it clear that she wants to earn the endorsement.”
Walz is among the other Democrats who are being considered as potential possibilities, such as Gov. Josh Shapiro of swing state Pennslyvania and Governor. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, which has always been a Republican state during presidential elections.
But does the governor, who is two-terms in office who has enjoyed the state win in a progressive direction in the state legislature with Democrats who control State legislature really want to become vice president?
“I don’t think you turn down a job that you haven’t been offered, but I have the best job in the world in being the governor of Minnesota,” Walz declared.
He believes Harris’ record-breaking fundraising performance on Monday is proof of the small voters’ and donors’ excitement for the likely Democratic candidate.
Walz spoke to journalists on Tuesday at an event to announce an award of $200 million by the Environmental Protection Agency to help reduce the carbon footprint of the state’s food industry. When reporters asked him about whether he is being considered for a potential vice-presidential nominee, he reaffirmed that the conversation he had with Harris and informed her he’d “be there to do anything [he] can do to help,” but did not provide any additional specifics.
“I’m not going to talk about the specifics that were in on that, and at this point in time we’re just going to leave it at that,” the official stated.
However, when a reporter mentioned the fact that his name had been mentioned as a potential candidate, Walz laughed and said “I’ve seen it out there and it’s a little weird!”
He said Harris was an “great candidate,” and said he is feeling an “burst of energy” in the race.
“There’s plenty of excitement. I believe that things have changed since Donald Trump was tweeting at me this morning, which could mean that we’ve changed the way people talk within America.”
Trump did mention Walz in the Truth Social account on Tuesday and criticized Fox News for having Walz on one of their shows.
Walz has been on national cable news this year as a messenger for the once-in-a-lifetime Biden candidate, as well as later Harris. Harris campaign.
Esme Murphy who is a reporter as well as a anchor on Sunday mornings for WCCO-TV She has been part of the WCCO-TV staff since the month of December, 1990. She also serves as a talk show host on weekends as well on WCCO Radio. She was born and raised within New York City, Esme began her career in reporting following her graduation at Harvard University.