Harris-Walz hold their first rally kicking off their Democratic ticket

Vice President Kamala Harris picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate on Tuesday. The two gathered for their first rally on Tuesday afternoon in Philadelphia.

Harris had interviewed three finalists: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Walz.

Harris said in a post on social media that Walz has “delivered for working families” as a governor, coach, teacher and veteran. Walz called it “the honor of a lifetime” to be Harris’ vice presidential pick. The two will appear together at an evening rally.

In choosing the 60-year-old Walz, Harris is elevating a Midwestern governor, military veteran and union supporter who helped enact an ambitious Democratic agenda for his state, including sweeping protections for abortion rights and generous aid to families.

“I know a little something about that commitment to people,” Walz told the supportive crowd. “I was born in West Point, Nebraska. I lived in Butte, a small town of 400, where community was a way of life. Growing up, I spent the summers working on the family farm. My mom and dad taught us, show generosity towards your neighbors and work for a common good.”

On Tuesday afternoon, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro got the crowd hyped up before Kamala Harris took the podium to speak about her plans for the country and introduce Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

In his approachable, mid-western demeanor, Walz also touched on his military experience.

“My dad served in the Army during the Korean War. And with his encouragement, at 17, I joined the Army National Guard. For 24 years, I proudly wore the uniform of this nation,” Walz said with the audience erupting in applause.

“The National Guard gave me purpose,” he continued. “It gave me the strength of a shared commitment to something greater than ourselves. And just as it did for my dad and millions of others, the GI Bill gave me a shot at a college education.”

Walz seemed completely at ease talking to the crowd, sharing his background so they, and the rest of the nation could see a bit more of the man many were meeting for the first time.

“My dad was a teacher. My brothers and sisters and I followed in their footsteps,” he said. Then with a smile adding, “Three out of four of us married teachers. It’s what we do.”

Walz weaving a word picture for those in attendance, moving from his teaching career to his coaching career.

“For nearly 20 years, I had the privilege of teaching high school social studies and coaching football. Including winning that state championship. But it was my students. They encouraged me to run for office. They saw in me what I was hoping to instill in them, a commitment of common good, a belief that one person can make a difference.”

Tim Walz, almost seamlessly moving from being the Governor of Minnesota to the Democratic party vice-presidential candidate.