Kamala picks Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate ahead of November election

AMERICAN vice president Kamala Harris has picked Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate ahead of November's presidential elections that will see her and former president Donald Trump involved in what is looking like a tight race.

Ms Harris, 59, became the Democratic Party's candidate after incumbent President Joe Biden bowed out of the race last month. President Biden, 81, bowed out of the race under pressure from fellow Democrats, who felt that he was too old to run for s second term and immediately endorsed his deputy Kamala to succeed him.

Last week, the Democratic Party officially adopted Ms Harris as its presidential candidate and she has now picked a Midwestern Democrat in Governor Walz as her running mate. Announcing the choice, Ms Harris highlighted Governor Walz's background and record, including signing legislation to provide paid family and medical leave for families, protecting the right to abortion and the enactment of legislation requiring universal background checks for gun purchases.

Ms Harris said: "We are going to build a great partnership. We are going to build a great team. We are going to win this election. As a governor, a coach, a teacher and a veteran, he's delivered for working families like his."

Governor Walz added: "It is the honour of a lifetime to join Kamala Harris in this campaign. I'm all in. Vice president Harris is showing us the politics of what's possible. It reminds me a bit of the first day of school, so, let's get this done, folks."

One of a shortlist of candidates who have been on the horizon for last few weeks, Governor Walz, 60, has a background representing rural communities and enacting Democratic priorities. Other candidates who he was picked ahead of include Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro and Kentucky governor Andy Beshear.

It is believed that Governor Walz, a two-term governor could help Ms Harris shore up support in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. This Midwestern blue wall is made up of states that have historically supported Democrats but went for Donald Trump in the 2016 election before Mr Biden took them back in 2020.

These three battleground states are pivotal to Ms Harris' ability to win the White House in November. When President Trump knocked down parts of the blue wall eight years ago, Minnesota remained Democratic by a narrow margin and the state has not voted for a Republican president since 1972.

Sources close to the selection process said Governor Walz was chosen as Ms Harris' running mate in part because of his executive experience, which includes policy achievements on gun safety, abortion and paid leave. Also, Governor Walz served in the National Guard, coached football and is a hunter and gun owner.