Walz, Harris’s VP pick, draws plaudits from Maryland Democrats, scorn from most Republicans

WASHINGTON – Vice President Kamala Harris’ choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate Tuesday won praise from Maryland Democrats, who pointed to the governor’s experience and approach to politics as key assets in the fall campaign.

Maryland Republicans, with one notable exception, saw little to like in the final piece of the Democratic ticket that will face off against former President Donald Trump and his vice presidential choice, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance.

Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, said in a statement that Democrats and other voters should be excited for his friend Walz, whom he called an invaluable member of the House Democratic Caucus during his time in Congress.

“His plainspoken, common-sense approach to governing allowed him to deliver for veterans and Minnesotans,” Hoyer said. “I know he will bring that same dedication and empathy to the vice presidency.”

Walz served in the House from 2007 until January 2019, when he became Minnesota’s governor. He was reelected in 2022.

Harris’ decision on her running mate came hours after she officially became the Democratic Party’s nominee for the presidency, clinching the vote of 99% of delegates in a virtual roll call. Walz and Harris are set to start a battleground state tour together this week, debuting Tuesday evening in Philadelphia.

Before his political career, Walz was a high school teacher, football coach and command sergeant major in the Army National Guard.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, highlighted fellow Democrat and veteran Walz’s experience in the Army and his “proven track record of progress” in a Tuesday post on X, formerly Twitter.

“His incredible journey of service…isn’t just a source of inspiration for future generations and evidence of his deep commitment to this country; it’s also proof of his effectiveness as a leader who is going to generate wins not just for the Democratic Party in November, but for the entire country,” Moore said.

“To the window…..to the Walz!!!” the Maryland Democratic Party tweeted, inviting Maryland residents to sign a card welcoming the governor to the campaign.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D–Maryland, called Walz “a rock star to veterans, teachers, football players and common-sense Americans.”

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who is the Democratic candidate for the Senate, said in a statement that the Harris-Walz ticket presents a vision that stands “in diametric opposition” to the Trump-Vance ticket and is instead focused on protecting freedoms.

“I couldn’t be more excited for Vice President Harris, for Maryland, and for our country in her decision of Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate,” Alsobrooks said.

Walz signed numerous pieces of LGBTQ+ protection legislation throughout his governorship including bills that protected gender-affirming care, banned book bans due to LGBTQ+ content and banned conversion therapy. The governor also signed bills protecting abortion in Minnesota and people who travel to Minnesota for the procedure.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, who also served with the governor in Congress, said there was no better person to serve alongside Harris.

“Tim has always put our country first,” Van Hollen said in a statement. “I’m excited and ready to do everything I can to turn out the vote and elect President Harris and Vice President Walz – a brighter future for all Americans and our democracy depends on it.”

Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, kept his endorsement succinct, posting on X: “Harris-Walz. Strong. Experienced. Authentic. Unifying. Exciting! Can’t wait to cast my ballot.”

Rep. Andy Harris, the sole Republican in the Maryland congressional delegation, joined other party members in accusing Walz on X of being “pro-open border” and repeating the false claim that Harris is the “border czar.”

“It is no surprise failed Border Czar Kamala Harris picked a running mate who is more pro-open border than she is,” Andy Harris tweeted. “The same person who said he would invest in a ladder factory to defeat Trump’s border wall is now vying to be VP.”
Walz was critical of Trump’s border wall proposal, supported a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers and signed a law that allows undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses.

“The selection of Tim Walz as the Democrat candidate for vice president just confirms what we already knew: this is the most extreme, far-left ticket in modern American history,” the Maryland Republican Party said in a statement.

However, Republican Senate candidate and former Maryand Gov. Larry Hogan struck a different tone than his GOP counterparts. Hogan congratulated Walz on X and said the country needs more governors on the national level because “governors have to actually get stuff done.”

“While we come from different parties, I have always appreciated his dedication to public service,” Hogan said, acknowledging their past working together as governors.

Hogan is in an awkward place in his own party, whose national convention in Milwaukee he skipped last month. He has said he will not support Trump, even though the former president has endorsed him.