Insiders reveal key promise Tim Walz made to Kamala Harris that secured his running mate position

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, DC: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been confirmed as Kamala Harris' running mate for the upcoming presidential election.

His selection was reportedly influenced by his lack of personal presidential ambitions — a key factor that appealed to Harris.

Tim Walz's assurance of loyalty

During the vetting process for the vice-presidential slot, Tim Walz assured Kamala Harris that he was "not angling" for the presidency. This reassurance played a crucial role in his selection. A co-chair for the Harris-Walz campaign disclosed that Walz emphasized his commitment to supporting Harris without harboring any aspirations for the top job.

According to Louisiana Representative Cedric Richmond, who shared insights on CNN, the most important criterion for Harris was finding someone who would prioritize the American people.

“I’ll tell you what the most important thing was: [Harris] wanted someone who would always put the American people first,” Richmond told anchor Kasie Hunt. “She understood the role of the vice president of the United States. And she wanted someone that she had chemistry with, because they’re going to have to do a lot of bold things, and they’re going to have to be on the same page.”

“Gov Walz fit that mold,” Richmond continued, “and he expressed that he didn’t have ambitions to be president.” This was a decisive factor for Harris, who played second fiddle to President Joe Biden for four years.

An insider revealed to Politico that during their interviews, Walz conveyed a strong sense of loyalty and commitment. He reportedly said, “I’m at the end of my career. This is not about me. This is about America’s working families. And if I have to run through a brick wall, if I have to do the hard things, I’m willing to do it because I’m not angling for anything else.”

Tim Walz vs Josh Shapiro

Tim Walz's lack of presidential ambitions starkly contrasted with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who was also a strong contender for the vice-presidential spot. CNN reported that Walz "aced" the interview process by clearly stating his deference to Harris and his disinterest in the Oval Office.

On the other hand, Shapiro's political ambitions and his stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict raised concerns among Harris' team. Shapiro’s views on the conflict, which included criticisms of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, placed him at odds with progressive factions within the Democratic Party.

Internal party dynamics also influenced the decision. Shapiro’s ambitions and his past clashes with US Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa) added to the concerns. Fetterman reportedly observed Shapiro prioritizing his political aspirations over what he deemed morally right during their time on Pennsylvania’s Board of Pardons.

These factors contributed to the decision to choose Walz over Shapiro.

Announcement and future plans

Kamala Harris officially announced Tim Walz as her vice-presidential pick on Tuesday. She introduced the former high school football coach to an enthusiastic crowd in Philadelphia. Walz's progressive credentials and loyalty gave him an edge over Shapiro, who was initially considered the favorite.

A Democratic operative explained to the New York Post, “My honest sense is that Harris had a concern that Shapiro would overshadow her and be the spotlight of the ticket here. What this pick came down to was, more or less, vibes.”

Walz's “Midwestern do-no-harm vibe” contrasted sharply with concerns about Shapiro’s ambitions.

Despite not being chosen, Shapiro praised Walz as an "exceptionally strong" pick. He expressed his commitment to supporting the Harris campaign. 

“Over the next 90 days, I look forward to traveling all across the Commonwealth to unite Pennsylvanians behind Kamala Harris’ campaign to defeat Donald Trump, become the 47th President of the United States, and build a better future for our country," he posted on X.

Shapiro then joined Harris and Walz on stage at the Philadelphia rally, signaling party unity moving forward.

Harris and Walz plan to visit several battleground states in the coming weeks, hoping to galvanize support and build momentum for their campaign.