Kamala Harris’ nascent presidential campaign has reportedly asked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for vetting materials as she seeks a vice presidential running mate.
The second-term DFL governor said it’s been “a little weird” to see his name floated as a possible VP pick, but he wouldn’t comment on whether he’s being actively vetted by the Harris campaign.
“I’m not going to talk about the specifics that we’re in on that. At this point in time, we’re just going to leave it at that,” Walz said Tuesday at an event to announce new federal grants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adding that he’s “focusing on the job here.”
Walz’s name has been circulating as a possible running mate for Harris, who is going through an accelerated process to vet and pick a candidate ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month.
Democratic governors top the list of possibilities, including Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state, as well as Govs. Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Roy Cooper of North Carolina. Along with Walz, fellow Midwestern Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also been mentioned, as well as Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly.
Walz said he talked to Harris early Sunday afternoon, shortly after the news broke that President Joe Biden would not seek another term and was throwing his support behind Harris.
“I said I will be there to do whatever I can to help, and that’s where we’re at at this point,” Walz said.
Walz is in the second year of his second term as governor. While there are no term limits for governors in Minnesota, most don’t seek a third consecutive term. Walz hasn’t said what he plans to do after his four-year term is up.