Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris accompanied, left, by her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, appear at a campaign event in Philadelphia Aug. 6. (Matt Rourke/AP File Photo)

Local Democrat Party representatives are expressing positive reactions to Vice President Kamala Harris selecting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate in the November race for the White House.

“I was very excited the moment she went with him. I thought that he was the right choice. I like his progressiveness,” said Dax Alexander, Smith County Democratic Party Deputy Chairman.

The 2024 election cycle has been a whirlwind for the Democratic Party. President Joe Biden’s late July announcement that he was ending his reelection candidacy was an unprecedented political move, but Democrats quickly clamored to Harris as his potential successor.

Harris chose Walz as her running mate Aug. 6, according to the Associated Press.

As vice president, Harris has supported abortion and voting access, gun restrictions, responses to climate change and support for Ukraine in the war against Russia, among other top political issues.

Walz brings a military and public education background, along with a record of advancing progressive policy in his state. His efforts include expanding abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as implementing tax credits and other initiatives aimed at easing the burden on families. The state has also hired more teachers of color under his leadership.

Geoffrey Carlton, the Democratic Club of Smith County president, views Walz as a strong candidate, citing his leadership experience and progressive policies. Walz will appeal to both rural and urban working class voters, potentially boosting the ticket’s chances in swing states.

“He was extremely popular in Minnesota, and he appealed to a lot of people in the middle of the political spectrum,” Carlton said. “He’s pretty much a centrist as far as his voting record.”

Carlton said there is no one like Walz on either ticket, saying “he’s different.” Walz isn’t a lawyer, a venture capitalist, or a New York real estate mogul. Instead, he’s someone who comes from the same background as everyday people. He believes that once people get to know Walz, they’ll be impressed, realizing he’s a down-to-earth, relatable guy.

Walz works well across the aisle, pointing out that he was appointed to co-chair the bipartisan Council of Governors by former president Donald Trump and reappointed by President Joe Biden. Carlton suggested that this speaks to Walz’s ability to get along with everyone.

Alexander said Walz might face criticism for being too progressive, but he believes this concern will quickly fade. He suggests that once people see the positive results of Walz’s policies in his state, they’ll realize that his progressive stance isn’t as intimidating as it might initially seem.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expressed concerns about a Harris/Walz ticket, citing Walz’s provision of state-funded benefits for illegal immigrants as a threat to border security. Sen. Ted Cruz criticized Walz, alleging he failed to protect citizens from Black Lives Matter protesters during the unrest in Minneapolis.

“Walz really is that down to earth American, ex school teacher, football coach…served in the military,” Alexander said. “He’s got that great dad energy, you know, everyone loves, and I think that contrasts really well with [Donald] Trump’s VP pick.”

Alexander said other potential running mates, such as Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, were too safe of a choice.

“No one would have really been excited if one of those guys was announced,” Alexander said.

Alexander believes Walz aligns better with Harris. He said the policies Walz supported and enacted in Minnesota match Harris’s vision and policy positions. Alexander expects they will have a lot in common, making it easier for Walz to support Harris in achieving her platform.

“They went with Walz, which I think said that they’re really appealing to the people, and they’re really listening to what the modern American wants,” Alexander said. “On the national level, I think that Democrats are really showing that they’ve never been more unified.”

The presidential election will be Nov. 5.