North Carolina Dems rally behind Kamala Harris’ VP pick, Tim Walz

“Governors like him know what it takes to get the job done, and he will be an outstanding vice president, doubling down on his work to support middle class families, protect reproductive freedom, and safeguard our democracy,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said.

On Tuesday morning, Democratic nominee for president Kamala Harris chose her running mate: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Harris’ choice of Walz — a former football coach, high school teacher, and veteran with rural roots — was met with immediate enthusiasm and praise from North Carolina Democrats.

Gov. Roy Cooper told NC Newsline that Harris “has picked an outstanding running mate in Gov. Tim Walz.”

“Governors like him know what it takes to get the job done, and he will be an outstanding vice president, doubling down on his work to support middle class families, protect reproductive freedom, and safeguard our democracy,” Cooper said.

NC Attorney General Josh Stein, who’s running this year to replace Cooper as governor, said Walz will make a “a great vice president.”

“A veteran, educator, and dedicated public servant, I have no doubt he will fight for the American people just as he has fought for the people of Minnesota,” he said. “Let’s get to work!”

Stein’s November opponent, Republican Mark Robinson — who has compared abortion to murder and slavery, compared LGBTQ people to “filth,” and said “some people need killing,” — unironically called the Harris-Walz ticket the “most radical” Democratic ticket “in our nation’s history.”

Back on the Democratic side of the aisle, State Sen. Rachel Hunt, who’s a candidate for lieutenant governor, said there’s “no better champion for families and children” than Walz.

“Looking forward to campaigning alongside Harris/Walz to turn NC blue,” she said.

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton shared a photo of herself and Walz on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying: “Just two kids from rural America fighting it out for democracy and Republican extremism!!!!! I am so excited!!!!!”

“A Democrat at the top of the ticket who knows not only how to, but also the importance of, campaigning in every part of this country?!?! Give me 50 of ‘em,” she added.

Dr. Cassandra Conover, chair of the Nash County Democratic Party, said that her area in particular is excited by Harris’ pick. 

“He’s done amazing things in Minnesota, and he’s sincerely progressive,” she said in a statement. “He is a veteran and was also a teacher! His humanity connects him to not just rural voters, but all voters! Let’s win this in November!

Former state Supreme Court justice and North Carolina Republicans for Harris Leader Bob Orr also got in the mix, stating on X: “it’s a storybook ending, it’s on to victory.”

Democratic US Rep. Wiley Nickel called Walz a fantastic choice to help lead Democrats to victory in November on X.

“He’s an experienced governor who knows how to work across the aisle and he’ll absolutely wipe the floor with JD Vance in the VP debate,” Nickel added.

Contest Every Race, a national coalition of roughly 150 rural organizations in battleground states that advocate for the rights of rural voters, also reacted to Tuesday’s announcement.

“Walz is a fighter for working families with deep rural ties,” Daniel Jubelirer, communications and programs director with Contest Every Race said in a statement. “He’s the perfect vice presidential pick by Harris, as he’s the strongest leader on the issues that matter to North Carolinians: access to safe abortion care, ensuring no child goes hungry, transitioning to clean energy, creating good union jobs, lowering taxes for working families, and standing up for the LGBTQ community.” 

“As a gun owner who won in a red and rural district, Tim Walz definitively puts North Carolina in play,” Jubelirer added. “We’re hearing nothing but a roar of enthusiasm from rural leaders across North Carolina as they make the case to voters to flip North Carolina blue this fall.”