Reaction to Walz choice falls along partisan lines
Local reaction to the choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be the running mate of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris largely fell along partisan lines Tuesday, with Democrats praising the pick and Republicans fiercely criticizing both Harris and Walz.
Walz beat out Gov. Josh Shapiro for the second slot on the ticket. When speculation first started heating up over who Harris would pick as her vice presidential nominee, Shapiro was widely seen as a front-runner for the job, given his relative youth and the fact that he is a popular governor in a swing state. Both Walz and Shapiro reportedly met with Harris on Sunday, and Shapiro had been vetted by her team.
Jojo Burgess, the Washington mayor who appeared in a campaign ad for President Biden before Biden withdrew from the race July 21, said he was disappointed that Shapiro was not chosen, “but I understand they had to make a choice, and Josh would have been a solid choice. … We know Josh is a rising star and his day will come.”
Burgess said that Republicans will try to paint Walz as a radical, “and he is not.”
Washington County Democrats are “thrilled” by the selection of Walz, according to Christina Proctor, who chairs the county’s Democratic committee. She cited Walz’s background that includes a 24-year stint in the Army National Guard, his work as a social studies teacher, high school football coach and as a congressman before becoming governor.
“Gov. Walz has the experience and integrity to serve as vice president from day one,” Proctor said. “He embodies the values that make America great: service to his country, commitment to his community and leadership grounded in his principles.”
The selection of Walz was “strong and wise,” according to George Rattay, chairman of the Fayette County Democratic Party and a candidate for state representative in the 51st Legislative District.
“Walz grew up in a small midwestern town, has a long and distinguished military record, taught in a public high school, is a hunter and responsible gun owner, knows how to bring business to states and supports rural communities. All of that is good for the country and those of us living and working in Southwestern Pennsylvania,” Rattay said.
However, Michelle Mowry, who leads Fayette County’s Republican Party, said “the people didn’t pick Harris or Walz,” and that they were chosen by “the Deep State.”
“This is what dictators and fascist and communist leaders do,” Mowry said. “I pray that the people speak loud and clear in November.”
Sean Logue, who leads the Washington County Republican Party, said Walz “allowed Minneapolis to burn in the race riots of 2020” and characterized the pairing of Harris and Walz as the “crime party ticket.”
Sam DeMarco, the Allegheny County Republican chairman and councilman-at-large, said in a statement, “Tim Walz is the avuncular face of the Democratic Party’s continuing tilt to the hard left. His pals include antisemites like (U.S. Rep.) Ilhan Omar, economic radicals who see taxes as a first resort, and environmental extremists who are determined to bring an end to Pennsylvania’s energy economy.”