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Gov. Tim Walz talks VP Kamala Harris, DNC [RAW]
Gov. Tim Walz spoke with reporters on Tuesday about his call with Vice President Kamala Harris, rumors of being considered as a potential running mate, and the DNC process for selecting a nominee.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Many DFL lawmakers in both the Minnesota House and Senate have endorsed Gov. Tim Walz for Kamala Harris' vice presidential nominee.
What they're saying
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy posted a letter to Harris on X, endorsing Gov. Walz as the vice presidential candidate ahead of the 2024 election. The letter was signed by several Minnesota House and Senate lawmakers.
In the letter, lawmakers tell Harris that Gov. Walz would be an "outstanding partner" and "excellent choice" for Vice President.
READ MORE: Walz VP candidacy getting boost from social media platforms
"Governor Walz is a true leader. With full Democratic control of state government and a once-in-a-generation opportunity before us, he set an inspirational vision of building a Minnesota that is the best state in the nation for children and families," the endorsement letter said. "His leadership and partnership were essential to our success and our historically-productive legislative biennium, which included strong protections for reproductive rights, significant investments in education, free school meals, paid family and medical leave, improving housing affordability, bold climate action, gun violence prevention, a nation-leading child tax credit that is projected to reduce child poverty by a third, and historic investments in infrastructure."
The letter goes on to say Gov. Walz accomplished this with narrow majorities in the legislature.
The Senate and House DFL letter continues by saying they are "thrilled" by Harris' candidacy and they believe Gov. Walz would bring "tremendous value" to the ticket.
In total, 64 Minnesota Representatives signed the letter of endorsement, which includes Speaker of the House, Rep. Melissa Hortman, and House Majority Leader, Rep. Jamie Long.
29 Minnesota Senators signed the letter, including Sen. Murphy and former Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Kari Dziedzic.
In a press conference Thursday, Gov. Walz credited the work of Minnesota legislators for the surrounding attention on him possibly being chosen as Harris' running mate in the 2024 presidential election, reiterating that it is her decision alone.
"I'm not interviewing for anything, I am who I am," Gov. Walz said at the press conference regarding his possible candidacy. "I don't know if every high school geography teacher expects to be in this position at some point."
READ MORE: Gov. Tim Walz on Harris VP pick: ‘I’m not interviewing for anything’
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MN Gov. Walz: 'I'm not interviewing for anything'
During a press conference on Thursday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addressed a few questions about him being on the short list for Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate. He said, "I'm not interviewing for anything, I am who I am" and said what qualities he'd like to see in the VP pick.
What happens if Gov. Walz becomes Vice President?
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What happens if Gov. Walz is picked as Harris's VP?
Gov. Tim Walz is on the short list for Vice President Kamala Harris' vice presidential pick, what happens if he is picked? FOX 9's Corin Hoggard has the story.
The Minnesota Constitution prepares for this scenario, outlining the succession plan for the offices of both governor and lieutenant governor.
According to Article V, Section 5, if a vacancy occurs from any cause in the office of governor, the lieutenant governor becomes the governor. That would mean Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan would move into the role.
The last elected presiding officer of the Senate then becomes lieutenant governor. Currently, that would be Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, who is currently the president of the Minnesota Senate.
Who else could be chosen for Harris' VP?
Others who could be picked for Harris' vice presidential candidate are Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.