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- Kamala Harris chose Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, ending a fast-tracked race to be VP.
- Even those who were passed over for the number-two spot are celebrating the Walz pick.
- Many former veep contenders are emphasizing his Midwestern roots and calling him a friend.
Though the vice presidential vetting process typically takes months, Kamala Harris had a mere few weeks to make one of the most consequential decisions of her campaign. Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota emerged victorious and beat out a slate of candidates.
If the other vice presidential hopefuls are sour about being passed over, they're not showing it in public, as even the finalists are expressing firm support for the Walz pick.
Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, who was in the race until the very end, posted a lengthy statement on X celebrating the Harris-Walz ticket. He addressed his experience with the vice presidential vetting process head on, and emphasized that he is excited to keep governing in Pennsylvania and working to "unite Pennsylvanians behind my friends Kamala Harris and Tim Walz."
In his post, Shapiro called Walz a "good friend" and "an exceptionally strong addition to the ticket." Shapiro will appear at a rally in Philadelphia tonight which, just a few days ago, many thought indicated that he would appear as Harris' number two.
Another candidate who made it to the final round of the veepstakes competition was Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona. Though his statement was shorter than Shapiro's — the senator isn't known for being particularly chatty — Kelly also vowed to help the Harris-Walz campaign however he can.
"They're already building a campaign to unite our country — and Gabby Giffords and I are ready to do everything we can to help them win," he said on X, referencing his wife and fellow politician.
In his statement, Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky didn't shy away from the fact that he had been considered for vice president.
"It was an honor to be considered in this process, but Walz is a great friend and a great choice. I fully support this new ticket and will work to elect Harris as our next President of the United States," he wrote.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg called Walz an "exceptionally effective governor." Buttigieg has emerged as a strong advocate for Harris and her record, though was never seen as the likeliest choice for running mate.
"I'm excited for what his Midwestern voice, military experience, and common-sense values will bring to our winning ticket," the fellow Midwesterner and veteran wrote on X.
Gov. JB Pritzker also praised Walz' Midwestern roots and called the fellow governor a "friend" in his statement, which he posted alongside a photo of the two men.
"Governor Tim Walz is a proven leader who brings to public service the big heart and hard work of a Midwesterner," Pritzker wrote on X. "His unwavering commitment to improving the lives of working families and to lifting up the most vulnerable is why I'm so excited he will be the Democratic Party's nominee for Vice President."
Those who voluntarily took themselves out of the race to be Harris' running mate also cheered the Walz choice online. Fellow Midwestern native Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan, referred to Walz as a "friend" and committed herself to doing all she can to get him into the White House.
"As a fellow Midwesterner and governor, I know firsthand that his leadership is an important asset to this ticket," she said.
Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina also bowed out of the veepstakes competition, but similarly hailed Walz as "an outstanding running mate" who "will be an outstanding Vice President." He praised Walz' progressive policies, such as supporting reproductive rights.