Minnesota governor Tim Walz to be Kamala Harris' vice presidential running mate. (Photo: X)
The Democratic vice presidential candidate has emerged as the choice of President Kamala Harris, with Minnesota governor Tim Walz selected for his ability to appeal to white rural voters. His reputation as a skilled communicator and strong advocate on climate issues not only helps Harris continue Biden administration policies but also fills environmental groups with hope.
“I do not think when he campaigned in 2018 we would have called him a climate champion, and he has now made it a centerpiece.” said Bill Holland, state policy director for the League of Conservation Voters.
Who is Tim Walz? The term “weird” catapulted him into the spotlight.
Born in 1964, Walz had a varied early career before entering politics. He served 24 years in the military, worked as a high school teacher, and even taught in China. In his youth, he spent time in Taiwan learning the language and culture. Walz's career took off at 42 when he unexpectedly won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving five terms over 12 years. He then won the gubernatorial elections in Minnesota twice.
Initially not well-known, Walz gained prominence when former President Trump's vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance attacked Harris. Walz responded with the term “weird,” which unexpectedly boosted his profile. His authenticity and approachability set him apart from traditional politicians. His focus on environmental issues began with the severe impact of extreme weather on his rural district, which led him to drive Minnesota’s carbon reduction efforts.
After being elected governor in 2018, Walz signed an executive order in 2019 to create a climate change cabinet, comprising officials from various state departments. Environmental groups are hopeful that if Walz advances, he will make significant progress on national policies. Bill Holland remarked, “Governor Walz’s leadership on climate issues has us very excited.”
Walz has set Minnesota as a model for the nation through climate action
In 2022, starting his second term, he initiated a climate action framework with six major topics, including a goal to increase the proportion of electric vehicles from 1% to 20% by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. He also collaborated with fellow Democrats to sign 40 climate action bills in 2023, which include mandates for utilities to use clean energy and for all electricity to come from non-carbon sources like wind and solar by 2040.
Achieving 100% clean energy is challenging. To address lengthy application processes, Walz facilitated the passage of the Minnesota Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act in 2024. This law is expected to cut application times by 9 to 12 months and project timelines by at least 50%, earning praise from Utility Dive as a potential national model.
Source: E & E News, Fast Company, New York Times
