Tim Walz, Harris’ chosen running mate

Vice President Kamala Harris’ selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate emphasises Democrats’ aim to retain blue-collar voters in an effort to deny Trump the White House
    
Apr 6, 1964: Tim Walz born in small town of West Point, Nebraska
 
1981: Enlists in Army National Guard, aged 17. Serves for 24 years, retiring as command sergeant in 2005
 
1989: Spends one year teaching in China before returning to Nebraska to work as high school social studies teacher and American football coach
 
1994: Marries fellow educator Gwen Whipple and moves to Minnesota, her home state, two years later. They have two children
 
2006: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives, causing major upset by unseating six-term Republican incumbent Gil Gutknecht

2018: After serving six terms in Congress – focusing on military and agricultural issues – Walz becomes Minnesota Governor. First term overshadowed by Covid pandemic and killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis
  
2022: Wins second term, promoting many policies seen as bolstering working-class families, including enshrining abortion rights, enacting paid family and sick leave, strengthening gun laws, funding universal free school meals and investing in affordable housing
  
Aug 6, 2024: Harris selects Tim Walz as running mate ahead of U.S. presidential election
  

Sources: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg , BBC 
Picture: Getty Images 
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