Who is Kamala Harris' VP pick? Why Tim Walz is described as 'down to earth'

Kamala Harris has announced a running mate for her 2024 bid for the White House.

Harris tapped Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Tuesday morning as her vice presidential pick after much speculation about which Democratic governor would join her on the ballot in November.

The Midwestern statesman brings suburban-and-rural appeal, a political mastery from years in the realm, and progressive patriotism to a competition where all three criteria are seen as helpful for Democrats to clinch a 2024 win against the Republican ticket of former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio.

So who is Walz?

Who is Tim Walz?

Walz has had many titles over the years, ranging from governor to soldier to teacher.

Born and raised in rural Nebraska, Walz enlisted in the Army National Guard right out of high school. He attended Chadron State College and graduated in 1989 with a social science degree, according to his biography from the State of Minnesota. After graduation, Waltz went into teaching and spent a year teaching abroad before returning home and serving full-time with the National Guard and becoming a high school teacher.

The teaching path led him to meeting his wife, Gwen, in 1996 and brought him to Minnesota as well.

Walz served for the National Guard for 24 years retiring as a Command Sergent Major in 2005. The next year he won his first election.

Tim Walz's political career

Walz hit the ground running when it came to his political career.

After his retirement from the Army National Guard, Walz ran for the United States House of Representatives and won his first political seat in 2006 and was re-elected for another five terms serving Minnesota’s First Congressional District in Southern Minnesota. After that, Walz put in a bid for Minnesota Governor.

He was elected governor of Minnesota in 2018 and won reelection in 2022.

In the Democratic party, Walz has been an avid supporter of President Joe Biden and after Biden dropped out of the race on July 21 amid rising concerns about his age, Walz took to X, formerly Twitter, calling him “an American hero” and saying that history “will look fondly on his legacy.”

How old is Tim Walz?

Walz is 60 years old.

Where is Tim Walz from?

Walz was born in Nebraska but now calls Minnesota home.

Tennessee Democrats praise Harris' VP choice

Tennessee Democratic Rep. Gloria Johnson, who is also running for U.S. Senate, was happy to see a fellow teacher and a union member as Harris' running mate.

"My happy factor just increased 10 fold! A teacher and a union member for VP," wrote Johnson on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday after Harris' announcement.

U.S. Rep. Tim Cohen praised the decision of Walz as Harris' running mate, sharing his memory of Walz and their time serving together in 2006 in the House of Representatives.

"Tim Walz is a great guy, down to Earth, a team player. We were in the class of ‘06 and no one ever had a bad moment with Tim. And then a superlative Governor. Congratulations Tim!" wrote the Memphis legislator on X.

When is the DNC?

Harris' announcement comes just three weeks ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from Aug. 19-22.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Who is Tim Walz? What to know about Kamala Harris VP pick in Tennessee