Why Tim Walz is a great VP pick

Also inside: Michigan is investigating Elon Musk over his pro-Trump PAC and Mark Robinson’s absurd past comments about Simone Biles

A former football coach, high school teacher, and veteran with rural roots could be the next vice president of the United States.

Kamala Harris on Tuesday picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate, praising the mild-mannered Midwesterner for his commitment to “fighting for middle-class families.”

“He grew up in a small town in Nebraska, spending summers working on his family’s farm. His father died of cancer when he was 19, and his family relied on Social Security survivor benefit checks to make ends meet,” Harris wrote in a post on Instagram. “At 17, he enlisted in the National Guard, serving for 24 years. He used his GI Bill benefits to go to college, and become a teacher. He served as both the football coach and the advisor of the Gay-Straight Alliance.”

There were a lot of qualified candidates for Harris to choose from, but the combination of Walz’s background, experiences, remarkable set of policy achievements, and communication skills (google “Tim Walz JD Vance weird” if you’re not sure what I’m talking about) make him something of a unicorn in the modern Democratic Party — the kind it’s worth elevating. 

Republicans are predictably already trying to paint Walz as a radical Marxist Leninist “San Francisco type liberal” for daring to feed kids at school, give middle-class and working-class families tax cuts, protect workers at Amazon warehouses and construction sites, and increase funding for affordable housing, childcare, and public schools.

As Walz would say, “What a monster!”

More from COURIER’s other newsrooms:

PENNSYLVANIA

Kamala Harris introduces Tim Walz as VP pick at packed Philadelphia rally

From The Keystone: Tim Walz skyrocketed to the top of the Veepstakes after calling Trump and his running mate “weird” and contrasting their extreme policies with what Democrats are prioritizing. 

MICHIGAN

Michigan’s top election official is investigating Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC 

From The ‘Gander: A political action committee backed by Elon Musk is reportedly under investigation by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s office amid its efforts to collect voter data.

NEVADA

Republicans keep lying about ‘post-birth’ abortions and ‘abortion up until birth.’ 

From The Nevadan: For decades, Republicans have spread misinformation — and outright lies — about abortions later in pregnancy, while also spreading conspiracy theories about nonexistent “post-birth” abortions.

NORTH CAROLINA

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mark Robinson has called gold-medalist Simon Biles a “weak little gymnast” 

From Cardinal & Pine: Back in 2021, Mark Robinson called the highly decorated Olympic gymnast Simon Biles a “little weak gymnast that quits when the going gets tough.” Biles withdrew from the 2020 Olympic team finals after experiencing the “twisties.”

VIRGINIA

Kamala Harris supports major changes to Supreme Court

From Dogwood: Kamala Harris endorsed a new proposal to make major changes to the United States Supreme Court by instituting term limits and a more binding, enforceable code of ethics for the Court’s nine justices.

ARIZONA

Sen. Mark Kelly says “Kamala Harris is about solving problems”

From Copper Courier: Sen. Mark Kelly talked about how Vice President Harris will fix the issues that Republicans created, including challenges at the border – and said she is focused on delivering results for the country, rather than just making noise about them.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Planned Parenthood of New England projected to face multi-million dollar deficit

From Granite Post: The people most affected by this financial crisis will be low-income folks, people of color, uninsured and underinsured people, women, LGBTQ+ folks, and people from out-of-state where abortion or gender-affirming care is banned. 

FLORIDA

5 ways Rick Scott is linked to Project 2025

From Floricua: Florida’s junior US senator has consistently shown his support for the far-right proposal that aims to reshape the United States government. Critics warn that it could unleash an authoritarian regime.

WISCONSIN

This Wisconsin mom had to go to another state for an abortion, and now for IVF

From Up North News: Abortion services resumed in Wisconsin last year, but further attempts to restrict it are continuing—leaving many families fearful about reproductive rights moving forward.

---

That’s it for this week! If you enjoyed reading this week’s issue, consider forwarding this email to a friend or colleague!