Kamala Harris names LGBTQ+ ally Gov. Tim Walz her running mate

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election, will name Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) as her running mate today, CNN reports.

Four sources with the campaign told CNN that she has decided to name Walz as her running mate. The sources said that Harris will make a call with Walz, which will be the official announcement sent to supporters later today. He will fly to Philadelphia today to appear with Harris at their first joint rally.

Related:

Tim Walz is an ally for LGBTQ+ rights you need to know about

Governor Tim Walz stands strong for LGBTQ+ rights, advocating for equality and non-discrimination in Minnesota.

“If it’s him, we’re stoked. We like him,” one of the sources said, highlighting that Harris has grown comfortable with Walz during the selection process because of his “happy-go-lucky” presence.

Your LGBTQ+ guide to Election 2024

Stay ahead of the 2024 Election with our newsletter that covers candidates, issues, and perspectives that matter.

Daily

Weekly

Good News

Walz has nearly two decades of governing experience, including serving in the U.S. House for 12 years. He was also a public school teacher for 20 years and served in the military for 24 years. These experiences have added to his folksy charm as someone who can simply express political concepts by their effect on everyday people.

As a 35-year-old social studies teacher at Mankato West High School in 1999, Walz advised the school’s first gay-straight alliance (GSA). He ran his first House campaign in 2006 on a platform supporting same-sex marriage and has supported the Respect for Marriage Act, a law that ensures federal and state recognition of same-sex marriages.

In 2009, he made a House floor speech supporting the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the military’s ban on out gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members. That same year, he also helped facilitate the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a 2009 federal law that offers enhanced funding for and prosecution against hate crimes motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias.

Walz opposes bans on trans athletes in school sports teams. In April 2023, he signed a statewide law protecting people seeking gender-affirming care in his state from out-of-state investigations and prosecutions by transphobic Republicans. He also signed a March 2023 executive order directing the Minnesota Department of Health to prepare a report summarizing scientific studies on the safety and effectiveness of gender-affirming healthcare. The order also directed statewide government offices to ensure that medical insurers have clear policies on their coverage for such care.

Last May, Walz signed a bill outlawing the use of anti-LGBTQ+ “panic defenses” sometimes used by assailants in court to justify violence against queer victims. That same month, he also signed legislation that stops libraries in the state from removing books, including ones with LGBTQ+ themes. In April 2023, Walz signed a statewide bill banning so-called conversion therapy, the widely discredited and disavowed practice of attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

In addition to his progressive credentials on LGBTQ+ rights, Walz has passed progressive reforms during his six years as governor, including laws ensuring reproductive healthcare access, common sense gun reforms, the legalization of recreational cannabis, and the strengthening of voting and workers rights. He has also historically increased his state’s funding for education, infrastructure, affordable housing, and renewable energy.

Don't forget to share: