Local labor leader and political scientist react to Walz VP selection

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – After weeks of speculation, it’s finally official. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been selected to join Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic Ticket.

“These guys are just weird, that’s who they are. It isn’t much else. Don’t give them the power.”

Walz’s description of the Republican ticket as “weird,” has caught fire, and may have played a role in his selection.“He was among the list, but among the longer list, and that moved him up.”

Local AFL-CIO President Mark Froemke told us that labor unions in Minnesota have been able to work with the Governor well, securing what he says has been crucial and important legislation for working class people.

“Legislation that we passed in Minnesota, under the Democratic Party and Governor Tim Walz, who’s done an outstanding job.”

MSUM Political Science Professor Dr. Barbara Headrick believes that this also played a role in his selection.

“She’s picking somebody who’s seen as fairly pragmatic. Somebody who gets things done for middle and working class people. If you look at his record in Minnesota, things like free school lunches, Pre-K, those sorts of things.”

Headrick says that Walz selection mainly reflects a sense of normalcy from the Harris campaign.

“He’s branded the Republicans as weird, they’re going to play him as the normal guy next door. You’d want him to be your neighbor,” Headrick said.

“She picked somebody who looks like he just got off the lake.”

 Froemke added that he’s excited by what Walz will bring to the national stage.

“It would be good for Minnesota, because we’d be giving our best of the best to not only help our country, but to help guide it. So we would be very proud,” Froemke said.

“She couldn’t pick a better person.”

If Harris is elected, Walz will become the third Vice President from Minnesota after Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale.