‘Fantastic’ to ‘horrendous’: NC pols react to Harris’ choice of Walz as running mate

Vice President Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate Tuesday morning, drawing strong reactions from North Carolina politicians on both sides of the aisle.

“Governors like him know what it takes to get the job done,” Gov. Roy Cooper said, “and he will be an outstanding vice president, doubling down on his work to support the middle class families, protect reproductive freedom and safeguard our democracy.”

Cooper told reporters Tuesday that people who know Walz like him a lot and that he was excited about the pick.

Cooper and Walz are both members of the Democratic Governors Association, which Walz chairs. The association works to support the party’s governors in 23 states and four territories.

And many of the lawmakers that Harris was choosing from for her running mate came from the association’s membership.

Cooper was thought to be on Harris’ short list for vice president, but he said he pulled himself out of the race almost immediately. He said in a statement Tuesday that Walz would be “an outstanding running mate.”

Walz emerged from long list of candidates

By Monday night, it was clear that Harris had narrowed a large field of candidates to Walz and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. She ultimately chose Walz, news that CNN broke just before 9 a.m. Tuesday, and Harris confirmed less than two hours later.

“As a governor, a coach, a teacher and a veteran, he’s delivered for working families like his,” Harris said, in her announcement on social media. “It’s great to have him on the team. Now let’s get to work.”

Walz wrote on social media that this “is the honor of a lifetime.”

NC governor’s race reaction

Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat running to succeed Cooper, who is term-limited from running for reelection, threw his support behind Walz Tuesday.

“A veteran, educator and dedicated public servant, I have no doubt he will fight for the American people just as he has fought for the people of Minnesota,” Stein said. “Let’s get to work!”

Stein’s opponent, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s team, said Walz and Stein are no different.

Robinson’s communication director, Mike Lonergan, said Walz’s selection shows that “the Democrats are committed to far-left extremism up and down the ballot.”

Congressional reaction

Members of North Caroliana’s congressional delegation also began weighing in.

Rep. Alma Adams, a Democrat from Charlotte and the most senior member of the delegation, said in a written statement that Walz has her “full support and confidence.”

“This strategic pick couldn’t be a better option, especially against extremist JD Vance,” Adams said. “Unlike Trump and his pick, these two will know how to work together to solidify a strong and progressive America that we can all be proud of.”

Rep. Deborah Ross said the focus of the Harris and Walz campaign “is one of opportunity, freedom and progress.”

Rep. Wiley Nickel, a Democrat from Cary, took to social media with a comment.

“Governor @Tim_Walz is a fantastic choice to help lead Democrats to victory in November,” Nickel posted. “He’s an experienced Governor who knows how to work across the aisle and he’ll absolutely wipe the floor with J.D. Vance in the VP debate.”

Rep. Valerie Foushee, a Democrat from Orange County, said she’s ready to work to help elect Harris and Walz adding, “When we work, we win.”

But Republicans were critical.

Republican reaction

Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican from Southern Pines who leads that Republican National Congressional Committee, called Walz Harris’ “partner in crime” and a “liberal lapdog.”

Republicans have criticized Walz for protecting gender-affirming care and abortion access, legalizing recreational marijuana and expanding background checks to purchase guns.

“President Trump and JD Vance will make America safe and prosperous again,” Hudson said. “Harris and Walz will destroy our country with their Far Left, America-Last agenda.”

Former Rep. Mark Walker, a Republican from North Carolina, called Harris’ decision a “big win for President Trump and JD Vance.”

“Horrendous record in Congress,” Walker wrote on social media.

Walker serves as the Faith Outreach Advisor for the Republican National Committee.

State of the race

Harris had just three weeks since President Joe Biden ended his campaign to launch her own, and pick someone to run along side her. That was to ensure that Harris and Walz’s name would appear on Ohio’s ballot, because Ohio requires that presidential candidates are formally nominated within 90 days of the election.

Harris officially secured the Democrat’s nomination Monday night, in a virtual roll call vote that began last week.

But Harris needed to choose a vice president by Aug. 7. The field to choose from was large, but seemed to narrow to Walz and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro overnight Monday.

Walz, a former high school teacher, served in the U.S. Army, the U.S. House from 2007 to 2019 and became Minnesota governor in 2019.

Harris and Walz plan to visit Philadelphia, Detroit, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas. Raleigh and Savannah, Georgia, were also on the list to visit but Tropical Storm Debby forced them to cancel as the storm threatens to bring heavy rains, flooding and strong winds into the state.

Cooper said that was the right decision, and that Harris did not want to draw first responders away from the storm response.

Vance also planned to hold a campaign event in Raleigh Thursday, to counter Harris and Walz. The Trump campaign announced Tuesday evening that it would be postponed as well.

Capitol Bureau Chief Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan contributed to this report.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

This story was originally published August 6, 2024 at 9:59 AM.

Danielle Battaglia

McClatchy DC

Danielle Battaglia is the D.C. correspondent for The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer, leading coverage of North Carolina’s congressional delegation and elections. She also covers the White House. Her career has spanned three North Carolina newsrooms where she has covered crime, courts and local, state and national politics. She has won two McClatchy President’s awards and numerous national and state awards for her work.