The Selection of Tim Walz

Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for her running mate primarily to achieve a balance on the ticket and strengthen her electoral appeal. His successful election history in a Midwestern state was seen as advantageous, with expectations that he could draw rural voters and mitigate perceptions of the Democrats as a coastal elite party. However, the selection comes amidst various assumptions about the necessity of such partnerships in enhancing electability and delivering votes, particularly reflecting on the typical narratives that surround vice presidential picks. Despite these theories, the empirical evidence supporting the actual impact of vice presidential candidates on election outcomes remains limited and contested.