Who is Tim Walz? The military veteran taking on Trump alongside Harris
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has selected her running mate – veteran and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
In perhaps the biggest decision since launching her presidential campaign, why has Ms Harris looked towards Mr Walz to help her beat Donald Trump and his running mate, fellow veteran JD Vance?
Mr Walz is not the most recognisable name in US politics but had a long service career which Ms Harris will hope resonates with voters.
'I'm all in'
Mr Walz served in the US Army National Guard for 24 years, making him the longest-serving military veteran to be a vice presidential nominee.
When he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2006, he became the highest-ranking retired enlisted soldier to serve in Congress.
His tenure in Congress included sitting on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, rising to be its ranking member in 2017.
On X, Mr Walz said it was the "honour of a lifetime" to be Ms Harris' vice presidential pick.
"I'm all in. It reminds me a bit of the first day of school. So, let's get this done, folks!" he posted.
Ms Harris said it was great to have Mr Walz on the team, praising his work as a governor, coach, teacher and veteran.
According to reports, Mr Walz was encouraged by his father – a Korean War veteran – to enlist as an infantryman at 17.
He later put himself through college on the GI Bill (a programme that provides educational benefits to veterans and service members).
Mr Walz re-enlisted after 9/11 and deployed during natural disasters on US soil and to Italy in support of operations in Afghanistan.
In 2005, he retired as a Command Sergeant Major in the artillery and was the highest-ranking enlisted National Guard Soldier in southern Minnesota from the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery.
However, he faced criticism for leaving as his battalion prepared to go to Iraq. Mr Walz has maintained he retired to focus on running for Congress.
Mr Walz was also an early supporter of doing more for veterans exposed to toxins during their military service and sponsored a major veterans suicide prevention bill, also advocating for the expansion of GI Bill benefits.
He has also repeatedly pushed the Veterans Affairs department to study marijuana usage to treat PTSD and chronic pain.
Mr Walz has credited his National Guard service with sharpening leadership skills which he will be hoping to use as vice president.
During Covid, in a Minnesota National Guard press release, he said that he "couldn't be more grateful" for the skills that being a member of the US Army National Guard gave him.
He said: "In the Guard, you put your community first. Everything you do, you do to ensure the health, safety, and security of the people who are depending on you. And as Governor, those are principles of servant leadership that I rely on every day."
Retired US Army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling took to X to praise the 'Master Sergeant'.
"Many followers not familiar with the military are asking me 'so what's the big deal about a command sergeant major?
"Walz joined at 18 as a private. Rose through the NCO (sergeant) ranks, each requiring extreme competence at increasingly demanding jobs with more people & responsibility at every rank."
He goes on to detail how "awesome" Mr Walz is and how his roles should garner much respect.
The retired US Army Lieutenant concluded by saying: "While I don't know the details of Walz's career wearing the cloth of our country, just the fact that he volunteered to serve and wore the CSM rank tells me a lot about him."
Ms Harris said she was "proud" to choose Mr Walz as her running mate.
"As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he's delivered for working families like his. It's great to have him on the team," she said.
Former President Barack Obama followed Vice President Harris in giving his approval.
"Like Vice President Harris, Governor Tim Walz believes that government works to serve us. Not just some of us, but all of us.
"That's what makes him an outstanding governor, and that's what will make him an even better vice president. Michelle and I couldn’t be happier for Tim and Gwen, their family, and our country."
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