One of the most anticipated decisions of the 2024 election was made when Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate. Political pundits and supporters have applauded the choice, seeing it as a unifying move for the Democratic Party. Harris’ choice also speaks to the type of policies Walz would champion.
Before Harris made her official choice, Forbes reports that she had a short list of other political standouts, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
Despite the accomplished list of potential running mates, Walz rose to the top based on his consistent record of accomplishments and relatability. According to Politico, Walz is a former high school geography teacher, football coach, and veteran who turned a Republican-leaning district blue in 2006. Harris believes this resume will not only speak to the American people but will resonate well in critical states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
NBC News details the official ask from Harris to Walz:
“Listen, I want you to do this with me,” Harris said. “Would you be my running mate?”
Walz immediately responded: “I would be honored, madam vice president. The joy that you’re bringing back to this country, the enthusiasm that’s out there — it would be a privilege.”
In addition to his ability to connect with voters, Walz is a touted politician who has been an advocate for equity. He has promoted several pieces of legislation and policy stances that support equal rights for LGBQT+ individuals, universal school meal plans, and voting rights for previously incarcerated individuals.
But one policy position that stands out, at least for Millennials and Gen Z, is his track record as governor, where he advocated for subsidies for college tuition.
In May 2023, Walz signed the One Minnesota Budget into law. A significant part of this legislation included a massive investment of $650 million for higher education. One of the most robust segments of the bill included the North Star Promise (NSP) Scholarship program.
The establishment of North Star Promise covered the cost of tuition and fees for students from Minnesota families whose annual adjusted gross income was less than $80,000. The impact was estimated to impact and relieve the educational cost burden for nearly 15,000-20,000 students.
“As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he’s delivered for working families like his own,” Kamala Harris said in a statement via Inside Higher Ed. “We are going to build a great partnership. We start out as underdogs, but I believe together, we can win this election.”
The higher education legislation signed by Walz also includes several other portions that impact the financial well-being of Minnesota families and students. These additional pieces of legislation include the Minnesota State Grant, the Minnesota American Indian Scholars Program, funding for tribal colleges, the Next Generation Nursing Assistant Initiative, the Minnesota state tuition freeze, the Student Parent Support Initiative, and dual training grants, per the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
“Governor Walz has been a consistent advocate for higher education in Minnesota,” Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson said in a statement to Inside Higher Ed. “His work with the Legislature last year led to the largest increase in support for public higher education in state history. This investment has made public higher education more affordable and accessible for Minnesotans from all backgrounds and will have a lasting impact on the vitality of Minnesota’s talent pool and economy.”
While the traditional role of the vice president is to support the policy agenda of the president they serve, Walz’s advisement and expertise to Harris could be similar to what Americans have witnessed with previous administrations. The 60-year-old’s advocacy for families to be able to afford college tuition is in line with Harris’ support of President Joe Biden’s push to cancel student loan debt.
Although nothing is guaranteed, the policy implications of this vice presidential selection put younger voters on watch as the rising cost of college tuition and student loan debt is a pervasive issue for many Americans.
