’Ready to win’: Kamala Harris picks Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for US Presidential polls

US Vice President Kamala Harris has picked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate — two weeks after mounting a breakneck campaign for President. The 60-year-old brings a rural Midwestern perspective to the Democratic campaign and might help Harris secure the "blue wall" states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and neighbouring Wisconsin. Meanwhile, the Opposition camp led by Donald Trump wasted no time in branding Walz as a ‘dangerously liberal extremist’.

“I am proud to announce that I've asked Tim Walz to be my running mate. As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he's delivered for working families like his. It's great to have him on the team,” the VP wrote on X.

“The first major decision a party nominee makes is their choice for vice president. And Kamala Harris has made a great decision in choosing Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate,” added President Joe Biden.

Meanwhile, Walz dubbed it the “honor of a lifetime” to join Harris in her campaign. The selection was announced via a text message to supporters on Tuesday morning — ahead of a joint appearance in Philadelphia. The Harris campaign has since updated its website to include Walz and insisted that it was ‘ready to win’ with him.

“I’m all in. Vice President Harris is showing us the politics of what’s possible. It reminds me a bit of the first day of school. So, let’s get this done, folks! Join us,” Walz urged on X.

The Harris-Walz combine will face Trump and his running mate JD Vance — also a military veteran from the Midwest — during the US Presidential election in November. Party leaders appear to be hoping that their VP candidate will strengthen the Democratic ticket in Midwestern states and among working class voters — despite his current lack of a national profile.

(With inputs from agencies)